H 4508 Joint Resolution, By Howard, Breeland, Cave, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Govan, 
J. Hines, M. Hines, Lee, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, Scott, R. Smith, 
E.C. Stoddard, L.S. Whipper, Wilder and D. Williams

Similar(S 947, S 976)
 A Joint Resolution to establish an African American History Monument to be
 erected on the State House grounds and to create a commission to select the
 design and placement of the monument.

   01/30/96  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-7
   01/30/96  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-7

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH AN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS AND TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO SELECT THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE MONUMENT.

Whereas, the State of South Carolina, as a matter of state policy, has erected various monuments on the State House grounds to honor the contributions of various individuals and groups to the state's history; and

Whereas, the State has recently reaffirmed this policy by requiring all portraits, flags, banners, monuments, statues, and plaques which are removed during the current State House Renovation Project to be returned to their original locations following completion of the project; and

Whereas, not one of the monuments and memorials recognizes the contributions and efforts of an African American individual; and

Whereas, some official symbol should be placed that recognizes the special and unique experiences and contributions of African Americans in this State; and

Whereas, the placement of a permanent monument on the State House grounds is the most visible and efficient means of official recognition. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. There is hereby established on the grounds of the State House an African American History Monument. The design and placement of the monument is to be determined by the commission appointed pursuant to Section 2 of this resolution. The commission shall make reasonable efforts to incorporate all eras of African American history in the design. The monument must be erected as soon as is reasonably possible after it is approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution and the State House Renovation Project is completed.

SECTION 2. An African American History Monument Commission is hereby created to determine the design of the monument and to determine the placement of the monument on the State House grounds. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds and to receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is created. By January 1, 1997, the commission shall report the proposed design of the monument to the General Assembly for approval. Approval of the monument must be made by concurrent resolution. Upon the dedication of this monument, the commission shall dissolve. Upon dissolution of the commission, the State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the State House grounds.

Four members must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and four members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission. One of the members appointed by the President Pro Tempore must be a Senator and one of the members appointed by the Speaker must be a member of the House of Representatives.

Members of the commission may receive per diem and subsistence from the respective approved accounts of each body while attending meetings of the commission. All other expenses relating to the establishment and placement of the monument must be paid for from funds derived as provided in the first paragraph of this section.

SECTION 3. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.