“James F. Byrnes was a symbol of all that is good and fine in America.” Senator Strom Thurmond
“Governor Byrnes was one of the greatest and most wonderful men I ever had the privilege of meeting. He was one of the greatest statesmen in American history. I shall never forget his many kindnesses to me. I shall always cherish his memory.” The Reverend Billy Graham
“Not only was Governor Byrnes one of the most distinguished citizens ever to represent our State, he has also taken his place among the greatest American patriots of all time.” General William C. Westmoreland, US Army Chief of Staff (Appointed to West Point by Byrnes)
“Never in American History has one man held more high offices with distinction than has Governor Byrnes.” President Richard M. Nixon
“Few men in our history have had such a profound impact upon the lives of Americans and have been in a position to use their talents in as many ways to benefit our citizens. His deeds will long stand as a monument to him.” J. Edgar Hoover, Director, FBI
“It is with gratitude that we remember [Mr. Byrnes’] efforts for the reconciliation between the American and the German peoples during the years from 1945 to 1947, which were fateful to us Germans. We think of him in respect and gratefulness.” Walter Scheel, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, West Germany
“Pop” Byrnes was named 1946 Man Of The Year by Time.
“There are only a few — a very few — in a world of many people who can by virtue of both character and achievement be called great. Justice Byrnes was such a man. But of the few who are recognized as great, there are an even smaller number who are both great and good. Justice Byrnes was also a good man.” General Lucius D. Clay
The South Carolina legislature proclaimed June 12, 1999, as “James F. Byrnes Memorial Day.”
During 1979, The McKissick Museums at The University of South Carolina ran an exhibit entitled James F. Byrnes, 1879-1979, Portrait of a Statesman. Content of the exhibit brochure summarizes the life and career of “the greatest statesman to come from South Carolina in the twentieth century.”