FAMU graduate Gilda Cobb-Hunter has become the “Dean” of the South Carolina House of Representative by virtue of her having earned the distinction of becoming the longest serving member in the House with 27 years of service. By tradition, as the longest serving member of the state house she presided during the Dec. 4 organizational meeting, and became the first black legislator since Reconstruction to swear in new members.
“The only lesson you really need to learn is the one you learned in kindergarten. Be kind, be respectful, be civil,” Rep. Cobb-Hunter told the freshmen. “All of us have a right to our opinions and we should commit to agree when and where we can, but also agree to disagree but not be disagreeable.”
Cobb-Hunter, this year, also became the longest serving Black member, and next year will become the longest-serving female, in the history of the SC House.
A native of Gifford, Florida, she has represented Orangeburg, SC, in the state house since 1992.
In December 2018, Cobb-Hunter was sworn in as President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators at its annual conference in Brooklyn, NY.