During the quick trip to the nation's capital, History Professor Edward Lee heard
briefings from administration officials in government affairs, education, the budget,
communications and transportation. The point of the gathering, Lee said, was to see how the federal government can aid
local governments with infrastructure, the opioid crisis, natural disasters and other
issues of the day. 
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Winthrop University History Professor Edward Lee `83 visited the White House on Sept. 6 as one of more than 100 S.C. government leaders.
During the quick trip to the nation's capital, Lee heard briefings from administration
officials in government affairs, education, the budget, communications and transportation.
The long-time mayor of York, South Carolina, returned with a list of names, e-mails
and phone numbers of key people in Washington, D.C.
"Having some of these federal emergency contacts could be very helpful with Hurricane
Florence approaching," said Lee, who has emphasized infrastructure during his tenure
as mayor.
The point of the gathering, Lee said, was to see how the federal government can aid
local governments with the opioid crisis, natural disasters and other issues of the
day. The federal officials also stressed Trump's support of building up agriculture
and the Palmetto State's role as an agriculture state.
Kellyanne Conway, senior advisor for President Trump, told the local government officials that the
president is very fond of South Carolina. The president tapped then S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to become the Ambassador to the United Nations and U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney as director of the Office of Management and Budget. Current S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster was an early supporter of Trump when he began his run for the presidency, and Trump
has campaigned for him during his election.
"There is a long list of South Carolinians who work for the Trump administration,"
Lee said, including former S.C. State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, who is deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Lee asked Zais about the administration's commitment to public education, which Zais
said is supported, along with school choice.
The White House tweeted after "South Carolina Day" had concluded that the Palmetto State was the 35th state welcomed to the White House.
Lee spoke about his trip with WRHI's Straight Talk live show.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.
