Lawrence Marion Gressette (February 11, 1902 – March 1, 1984) was an American politician in the state of South Carolina.

He also served a stint as president pro tempore of the South Carolina Senate from 1972 to 1984.

[2][3] Lawrence Marion Gressette was born in the Center Hill Section of Orangeburg County.

"[6] Over time, Gressette's views on integration changed as reapportionment saw him serving a district that was predominantly black including Orangeburg County.

He became an advocate for the historically black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina State College,[4] and in 1974, supported legislation that made Martin Luther King's birthday a state holiday.