Current Status Bill Number:3508 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19970220 Primary Sponsor:Wilkins All Sponsors:Wilkins, Whatley, Rhoad, Stoddard, Knotts, Limehouse, H. Brown, Askins, Seithel, Harvin, Tripp, Campsen, Dantzler, Law, Kennedy, Haskins, Cotty, Young-Brickell, Cato, R. Smith, Cooper, Sharpe, Moody-Lawrence, Chellis, Cobb-Hunter, McCraw, Loftis, Bailey, Harrison, Phillips, Easterday, Keegan, J. Brown, Kinon, Gourdine, Mason, Altman, Battle, Allison, Robinson, Koon, Simrill, Mullen, Stuart, Bowers, Spearman, Boan, Riser, McMaster, Klauber, Jordan, Walker, Rodgers, Witherspoon, G. Brown, Lanford, Harrell, Davenport, Littlejohn and Rice Drafted Document Number:bbm\9178jm.97 Companion Bill Number:407 Residing Body:House Current Committee:Education and Public Works Committee 21 HEPW Subject:Strom Thurmond Monument Commission, Resolutions, Buildings, State House
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19970220 Introduced, read first time, 21 HEPW referred to CommitteeView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO CREATE THE STROM THURMOND MONUMENT COMMISSION AND PROVIDE FOR THE COMMISSION'S MEMBERSHIP, DUTIES, AND RELATED MATTERS.
Whereas, among South Carolina's greatest statesmen is our esteemed Strom Thurmond, Senior United States Senator from the Palmetto State; and
Whereas, this remarkable individual has served South Carolina with the utmost distinction in many capacities, including a county superintendent of education, State Senator, circuit judge, Governor, and United States Senator; and
Whereas, Strom Thurmond is the only person in American history to have been elected to the United States Senate as a write-in candidate; and
Whereas, he has served his nation and the cause of freedom in time of war; he volunteered for military service the day the United States became involved in World War II; he served in both the European and the Pacific Theaters of the war, participated in the Normandy Invasion with the 82nd Airborne Division, and was awarded five battle stars and eighteen decorations, medals, and awards, including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with "V", the Purple Heart, the French Croix de Guerre, the Belgian Order of the Crown, and the rank of Major General; and
Whereas, in the United States Senate he serves as President Pro Tempore and as Chairman of the Armed Services Committee and has served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee; he has also served longer as a United States Senator than any other person in history; and
Whereas, his lifetime achievements and accomplishments are, for all practical purposes, legendary, and the citizens of South Carolina have benefited greatly from his contributions and talents for several successive generations. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The Strom Thurmond Monument Commission is created to design and establish an appropriate monument to be placed on the grounds of the Capitol Complex to recognize the accomplishments of the Honorable Strom Thurmond, United States Senator from South Carolina. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds, to receive private grants, to receive gifts to carry out the purpose for which it is created, and to designate the location of the monument; provided, that this monument must be funded entirely by private funds. By January 15, 1998, the commission shall report the proposed design, location, and dedication date of the monument to the General Assembly. Upon the dedication of this monument, the commission shall dissolve. Upon dissolution the State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the grounds of the Capitol Complex.
The commission shall be comprised of three members of the Senate to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and three members who may or may not be members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Governor. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770 of the 1976 Code of Laws or any other provision of law, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission and may serve on the commission.
Commission members are not entitled to receive the subsistence, mileage, and per diem otherwise provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.