Special to The Post and Courier July14, 2003 – Strom Thurmond’s constituent service is legendary.

Businesses could take a page from his book. The telephone in his office could ring no more than twice before it was answered and letters had to be answered within 24 hours.

I received my first letter from Strom while still in high school and he was governor. Over the years I amassed a thick file of correspondence from his office. One in particular shows his attention to detail.

When we started a lectureship in honor of Dr. John Hamrick, founder and first president of what is now Charleston Southern University, I asked the senator for a letter to be presented at the first of those lectures. In a few days, I received a telephone call from his office. One of his assistants said, “I would like to read you the letter from Sen. Thurmond for Dr. Hamrick and get your approval that this is what’s needed.” A few days later, I received a large padded envelope containing a beautifully typed letter on quality bond paper, suitable for framing.

It is true that many of his letters were of the “Thank you for writing. I’ll take your comments into consideration when the matter comes before me” variety, but when the chips were down you could count on a specific response. One of those memorable letters came after I contacted him about the possible reduction of noise levels under Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. I had reminded him of the hearing loss suffered by many South Carolinians who worked in the textile industry, citing examples from my own family. Instead of the standards being lowered, they were strengthened.

The remarkable thing about my experiences with Strom’s constituent service is that my story is not unique. Thousands of people have had the same experience and it stretched over 60 years without faltering.

Strom Thurmond understood that the business of politics is built on relationships. Establish a connection and nurture that connection. Stay in touch. Be approachable.