Oil on canvas, Michael del Priore, 2000, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives

SPENCE, Floyd Davidson, a Representative from South Carolina; born in Columbia, Richland County, S.C., April 9, 1928; graduated from Lexington High School, Lexington, S.C.; B.A., University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., 1952; LL.B., University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., 1956; United States Naval Reserve, 1947-1988; admitted to the South Carolina state bar, 1956; member of the South Carolina state house of representatives, 1956-1962; member of the South Carolina state senate, 1966-1970, and served as minority leader 1966-1970; delegate, South Carolina State Republican conventions; delegate, Republican National Conventions, 1964-1984; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-second and to the fifteen succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1971-August 16, 2001); chairman, Committee on National Security (One Hundred Fourth and One Hundred Fifth Congresses); chairman, Committee on Armed Services (One Hundred Sixth Congress); died on August 16, 2001, in Jackson, Miss.; interment in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lexington, S.C.