Bill 3782

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               3782
Ratification Number:       245
Act Number                 211
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   To establish the Columbian Quincentennial
                           Commission of South Carolina

(A211, R245, H3782)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THE QUINCENTENNIAL OF COLUMBUS' DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD AND SUBSEQUENT EUROPEAN EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ESTABLISH THE COLUMBIAN QUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Christopher Columbus is generally credited with discovery of the New World on October 12, 1492; and

Whereas, that discovery led to the exploration and settlement by Europeans of all of the New World; and

Whereas, the land now occupied by the State of South Carolina played an important role in the European occupation and settlement of North America; and

Whereas, the public of South Carolina generally is unaware of the important early French and Spanish presence in our State including the first attempted European colonization of North America (1526), the first French outpost in the region (1562), explorations led by Spaniard Hernando de Soto (1540), the Spanish town of Santa Elena (1566-1567) on Parris Island which for ten years served as the first capital of Spanish Florida, the exploration of the interior by Spanish Captain Juan Pardo (1566-1568), and other such historical episodes; and

Whereas, the five hundredth anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World occurs in 1992 and is to be celebrated in Spain and throughout the New World; and

Whereas, this important event and the subsequent European exploration and settlement of our State which followed it should be celebrated in ways that serve best to remind our people of this State's heritage; and

Whereas, much time and effort must be devoted to planning and conducting appropriate celebrations, to the planning and placement of historical markers, to the collecting, making available, and interpreting our historical and archaeological records, to expanding and strengthening relevant holdings of our historical societies, libraries, and museums, to coordinating our state celebration with that of our neighboring states and the national celebration, and to the many other activities necessary to assure that the celebration in our State is based on a sound foundation of knowledge and understanding of our past. Now, therefore,

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

Commission created

SECTION 1. There is created the Columbian Quincentennial Commission of South Carolina which shall plan and execute a proper observance of the quincentennial of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World and the subsequent Spanish exploration and settlement of South Carolina, in cooperation with the national Columbian Quincentennial Commission, the Southeastern Columbus Quincentenary Commission, the de Soto Trail Commission, and the Columbus Quincentennial Commissions of other states. The termination date of the commission is December 31, 1993.

Membership

SECTION 2. The members of the commission are:

(1) Ex officio members:

(a) the Governor or his designee;

(b) the Lieutenant Governor or his designee;

(c) the Director of the Department of Archives and History or his designee;

(d) the Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism or his designee;

(e) the Director of the Department of Highways and Public Transportation or his designee;

(f) the Director of the South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology or his designee;

(g) the President of the University of South Carolina or his designee;

(h) the Director of the South Carolina State Museum or his designee;

(i) the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Cultural Affairs or his designee.

(2) Appointed and elected members:

(a) three members to be appointed by the Governor;

(b) two members to be appointed by the President of the Senate from the membership of the Senate;

(c) two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the membership of the House;

(d) three members to be elected respectively by the South Carolina Historical Society, the South Carolina Historical Association, and the South Caroliniana Society.

The terms of the members of the commission are until December 31, 1993. Vacancies in the membership of the commission must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment or election of the member who creates the vacancy.

Meeting--Officers

SECTION 3. The commission shall meet as soon as practicable after the passage of this resolution. At that initial meeting, the commission shall elect a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a secretary who is not necessarily a member of the commission. Thereafter, the commission shall meet quarterly.

Duties

SECTION 4. The commission shall:

(1) plan an overall program for the celebration of the five hundredth anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World and the subsequent European exploration and settlement of the present State of South Carolina;

(2) accept donations of money, property, or personal services;

(3) procure documents, transcripts, or other materials it considers necessary or important;

(4) sponsor historical or archeological research necessary to achieve its goals;

(5) cooperate with any other group or agency in preparing its plans and programs;

(6) make rules for its own government and adopt an appropriate logo;

(7) request the Governor to issue proclamations urging the people of South Carolina to participate in and observe its programs;

(8) employ personnel as may be necessary but only if they are paid from private source funds; and

(9) conduct other activities it considers necessary in order to carry out the provisions of this resolution.

Property

SECTION 5. All property acquired or held before the termination of the commission must be disposed of as provided by state law.

Time effective

SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.