Capital Senior Center Announces Renaming

COLUMBIA, SC – November 16, 2012 – On Thursday, Capital Senior Center Board of Directors Chair Hayes Mizell announced that after nearly two decades of serving Columbia’s senior residents, the Capital Senior Center will be renamed in April 2013 after the late Senator Isadore Lourie.  Mizell was joined by Senator Joel Lourie and family, community leaders, Capital Senior Center members and staff, and elected representatives at the press conference announcing the renaming.   The center will be officially named The Senator Isadore E. Lourie Senior Center, and abbreviated as The Lourie Center.

Senator Lourie was well known for his work as a champion of the elderly, and contributed greatly to legislation and reform efforts for aging adults.  During his career he sponsored legislation that established the State Commission on Aging, the Interagency Council on Aging, the Homestead Exemption, and the income exemption for the home bound elderly.  He also established the South Carolina Permanent Improvement Program that built or renovated 72 Senior Centers in South Carolina. 

“We’re thrilled to align our center with one of South Carolina’s greatest statesmen,” said Mizell. “By changing the name of the Center, we are honoring a statewide champion for seniors who was Richland County’s own. There is no other organization in South Carolina that honors Senator Lourie in this way. The new name of the Center will not only be a tribute to his pioneering role, it will be a constant reminder that seniors need advocates dedicated to securing the funding and support necessary for seniors to remain active, productive, and independent citizens.”

Senator Joel Lourie and family, Columbia City Councilman Moe Baddourah, Richland County Councilman Seth Rose, and representatives of both Senator Lindsey Graham and Steve Benjamin were also present for the announcement.

In a prepared statement, Sam Johnson, Benjamin’s representative, shared the Mayor’s message of congratulations.  “I want to say how excited I am to see this wonderful facility named after a personal hero of mine, a man who embodied our proudest traditions of dedication, leadership, and service.”