H*4259 Concurrent Resolution, By Mack, Breeland, Whipper and R. Brown
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE LOCAL SWEETGRASS BASKET MAKERS AS
 THEY EXHIBIT THIS ANCIENT AFRICAN ART FORM AT THE SWEETGRASS CULTURAL ARTS
 FESTIVAL IN MOUNT PLEASANT.

   06/01/05  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-55
   06/01/05  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-10

TO RECOGNIZE THE LOCAL SWEETGRASS BASKET MAKERS AS THEY EXHIBIT THIS ANCIENT AFRICAN ART FORM AT THE SWEETGRASS CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL IN MOUNT PLEASANT.

Whereas, the Town of Mount Pleasant is proud to be recognized as the primary location of the "Original Sweetgrass Basket Makers"; and

Whereas, during the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival, the town and the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Committee seek to bring local, state, national, and international attention to this declining ancient African art form; and

Whereas, the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival will provide an exciting opportunity for local sweetgrass basket makers to showcase their unique artistry and conduct demonstrations and workshops for the public; and

Whereas, the local entertainers and performers will provide a venue where the public can learn about the history and experience the human side of this ancient living art form; and

Whereas, festival goers can discover how this way of life has been a vital link in the agricultural, economic, social, political, and domestic development of the United States while enjoying storytelling, gospel singers, poetry, and other cultural activities; and

Whereas, the sweetgrass basket art form was brought to this country in the latter half of the seventeenth century by captured West Africans and used by plantation owners and merchants for agricultural and other domestic purposes; and

Whereas the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Committee is excited to host the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival and is committed to continuing its work to bring attention to this beautiful and unique art form. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize the local sweetgrass basket makers as they exhibit this ancient African art form at the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival in Mount Pleasant.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Committee and Town of Mount Pleasant.