Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A portrait of the late Sen. Clementa Pinckney now hangs in the chamber of the South Carolina Senate, a rare and high tribute for a man who his colleagues remember as "a great example for all."
Pinckney's daughters, Eliana and Malana, pulled back a blue drape over the portrait Wednesday afternoon, allowing those assembled inside the Senate chambers to see the image for the first time.
"You're well deserving to be hung with greatness, because you are great," his widow, Jennifer Pinckney, said in remarks immediately following the unveiling.
The portrait shows Pinckney, who was also the pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church, dressed in a suit, standing beside a stained glass window inside the church that he led.
"This is a sad but proud moment for his family," Jennifer Pinckney said. "He may not be here physically, but he's with us, and we're going to miss him.
Pinkney was murdered on June 17, 2015 in the shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Eight other parishioners were also killed in the attack.
The portrait was created by artist Larry Lebby, who created renderings of President Jimmy Carter, Hank Aaron, and former SC Chief Justice Ernest Finney. His work has been displayed in the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Vatican.
Lebby said he spent extensive time researching how to create the image, even traveling to Mother Emanuel as he worked to come up with the design.
"The painting of the portrait was an enjoyable process, than took me seven months for me to complete," Lebby said.
His fellow lawmakers also spoke at ceremony. Sen. John Matthews, who first met Pinckney when he was a legislative page and later sat beside him when he was elected to office, said Pinckney was a leader among other leaders.
"He left a great example for all of us to live up to," Matthews said. "He believed that if you served right and lived right, in the end, you would win."
Sen. Gerald Malloy said the tragedy that took his life should lead to a reordering of priorities for the state, and he hopes the painting will compel people to fight for the issues Pinckney believed in.
"His portrait reminds us to work for all South Carolinas, not just the ones who look like us," Malloy said. "His life and death must lead to reconciliation in our state.
Pinckey served in the South Carolina Senate for 14 years until his death, and had previously served in the House of Representatives. He was 41 years old.