Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 12:00 noon.
Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark, as follows:

O God our Father Who has brought us to this place of service, we pray that throughout this week we may do the best we can for as many as we can. Even when the many problems rise before us, we thank You for this great State, its glowing past, its challenging present, and its promising future. And as we seek to perpetuate our blessed heritage, remain with us to make us equal to every duty. Surround us with Your love, assure us of Your care, protect us with Your strength and watch over us with Your presence. Favor us, good Lord, with Your constant care. Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of Friday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

Rep. SANDIFER moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Alleene Watkins, which was agreed to.

On motion of Rep. FLEMING, with unanimous consent, the following were taken up for immediate consideration and accepted:

February 14, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of The South Carolina Horsemen's Council the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a reception. This event will be held at the Seibels House and Gardens on April 4, 2000, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Mary Ellen T. Tobias
Equine Marketing Specialist

August 12, 1999
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of The South Carolina AARP State Legislative Committee the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a luncheon. This event will be held in Room 221 of the Blatt Building on April 5, 2000, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
Hannah Timmons
Coordinator

June 5, 1999
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of South Carolina State University the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a reception. This event will be held at Seawell's Restaurant on April 5, 2000, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Leroy Davis
President

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of Home Builders Association of South Carolina the Members of the House of Representatives and Spouses are invited to a reception/dinner. This event will be held at the South End Zone in the Williams-Brice Stadium on April 11, 2000, reception from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and dinner from 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
F. D. Clark
President

December 2, 1999
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of The South Carolina Plastics Industry, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., and the American Plastics Council the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a breakfast. This event will be held at the Capital City Club on April 12, 2000, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Sincerely,
Pamela Rastatter
SPI South

February 29, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

On behalf of the National Guard Association of South Carolina the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a luncheon/drop-in. This event will be held at the State House grounds on April 12, 2000, upon adjournment to 2:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
A. Frank Lever III
President

January 20, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of Clemson University the Members of the House of Representatives and Staff are invited to a dinner. This event will be held at the Concourse of the Carolina Coliseum on April 12, 2000, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
John W. Kelly
Vice President

January 18, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a breakfast/drop-in. This event will be held in Room 221 of the Blatt Building on April 13, 2000, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Sincerely,
Patricia L. Pruitt, Ph.D.
SCASP Legislative Chairperson

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of the Young Bankers Division of the South Carolina Bankers Association the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to an Oyster Roast. This event will be held at the University House on April 18, 2000, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
E. Anne Gillespie
Senior Vice President

February 3, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina the Members of the House of Representatives and Staff are invited to a Picnic and Softball Game. This event will be held at the Capital City Bombers Stadium on April 19, 2000, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sincerely,
M. Edward Sellers
President & CEO

February 28, 2000
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of the South Carolina State Firemen's Association and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation the Members of the House of Representatives and Staff are invited to a luncheon. This

June 8, 1999
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of The Citadel Alumni Association the Members of the House of Representatives, Spouses and Staff are invited to a dinner. This event will be held at the Cantey Building on the State Fair Grounds on April 25, 2000, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Must be at least 21 years of age.)
Sincerely,
Henry A. Kennedy, Jr.
Executive Director

December 10, 1999
The Honorable Ron Fleming
Chairman, House Invitations Committee
503-A Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29201

Dear Rep. Fleming:

On behalf of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind the Members of the House of Representatives are invited to a luncheon/drop-in. This event will be held in Room 221 of the Blatt Building on April 26, 2000, upon adjournment to 2:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Sheila S. Breitweiser, Ed.D.
President

The following was received:

Document No. 2458
Agency: Department of Health and Environmental Control
Chapter: 61
Statutory Authority: Sections 44-1-140(11); 1-23-10;-110
Retail Food Establishment Inspection Fees
Proposed on September 24, 1999 in State Register Vol. 23, Issue 9
Submitted to Legislative Council for General Assembly Review January 6, 2000
Received by Speaker of the House of Representatives
January 11, 2000
Referred To Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee
Legislative Review Expiration May 9, 2000

Revised   May 17, 2000

20000223   Committee Request Withdrawal

120 Day Period Tolled

20000302   Withdrawn and Resubmitted

Rep. FLEMING, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

H. 4010 (Word version) -- Reps. McGee, Simrill, Robinson, Haskins, Allen, Altman, Askins, Barrett, Campsen, Canty, Easterday, Gourdine, Hawkins, M. Hines, Limehouse, Keegan, Leach, R. Smith, Kelley, Maddox, McKay and Pinckney: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONDEMNING AND DENOUNCING ALL SUGGESTIONS IN A RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION THAT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ADULTS AND WILLING CHILDREN ARE LESS HARMFUL THAN BELIEVED AND MIGHT EVEN BE POSITIVE FOR WILLING CHILDREN AND URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO REJECT AND CONDEMN THE SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THIS RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

H. 4138 (Word version) -- Reps. Askins, Leach and R Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THAT PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 41-51 IN FLORENCE COUNTY AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY AS THE "W. ODELL VENTERS HIGHWAY" IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE W. ODELL VENTERS WHO SERVED THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE COUNTY OF FLORENCE WITH DISTINCTION AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR FIFTEEN YEARS; AND TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS AND MARKERS REFLECTING THIS DESIGNATION.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. FLEMING, from the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions, submitted a favorable report on:

H. 4434 (Word version) -- Reps. Haskins, Barrett, Cato, Fleming, Keegan, Littlejohn, Loftis, Phillips, Riser, Robinson and Taylor: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE CONGRESS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND SUBMIT TO THE STATES FOR RATIFICATION AN AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE THAT NEITHER THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT NOR ANY INFERIOR COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS THE POWER TO INSTRUCT OR ORDER A STATE OR ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR OFFICIAL OF THE STATE OR SUBDIVISION TO LEVY OR INCREASE TAXES.
Ordered for consideration tomorrow.

Rep. HARRISON, from the Committee on Judiciary, submitted a favorable report with amendments on:

H. 4491 (Word version) -- Reps. Campsen, Edge, Wilkins, Allison, Altman, Barfield, Barrett, Beck, Cato, Cotty, Delleney, Easterday, Frye, Gilham, Hamilton, Harris, Harrison, Haskins, Huggins, Jennings, Leach, Limehouse, Loftis, Lucas, McGee, Meacham-Richardson, Perry, Quinn, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Sandifer, Simrill,

The following was introduced:

H. 4734 (Word version) -- Reps. Scott, Howard, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Fleming, Frye, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Huggins, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Maddox, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McKay, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham-Richardson, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, D. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING DEACON FLOYD GORDON, SR., OF RICHLAND COUNTY FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH DEACON BOARD AND FOR HIS

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4735 (Word version) -- Rep. Wilkins: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE YOUTH OF SOUTH CAROLINA WHO ARE LEADERS AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE ADULTS WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE MOLD AND BUILD THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OBSERVANCE AND CELEBRATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S YOUTH LEADERSHIP WEEK 2000, FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 3.

Whereas, the young people of South Carolina are our most valuable asset and the future of our State; and

Whereas, peer behavior is a strong influence in the lives of our youth; and

Whereas, public, private, state, and local agencies are working together to encourage youth to make healthy decisions; and

Whereas, encouraging our children to make good decisions is a crucial step toward building safer communities and a safer tomorrow; and

Whereas, the state's children, who are pressured to make difficult decisions every day, will gather in Columbia to celebrate youth leadership. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly commend the youth of South Carolina who are serving as leaders and positive role models in their communities and the adults in their lives who are working

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

On motion of Rep. HUGGINS, with unanimous consent, the following was taken up for immediate consideration:

H. 4736 (Word version) -- Rep. Huggins: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE MARCH 15, 2000, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA HOMEOWNERSHIP DAY".

Whereas, a healthy, happy society must fulfill the desires and aspirations of the majority of its members while protecting the rights of each of its individual entities; and

Whereas, we all desire to live in communities where the wonders of the Creator are molded and preserved, and where the prosperity of the members of the society, as well as the animals and plant-life indigenous to the environment, is protected and nurtured; and

Whereas, our society has been established, maintained, and has prospered based on a recognition of the rights of each individual member - many of the most important of these rights having been codified in our nation's Bill of Rights; and

Whereas, our forefathers found it prudent and wise to ensure the protection of an individual's property rights by so establishing these rights in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of our United States Constitution; and

Whereas, homeownership provides a sense of security for South Carolina families and their children, and results in a better education and quality of life for our children; and

Whereas, the purchase of a home for most South Carolinians is the single largest investment they will ever make; and

Whereas, housing affordability and choices should be market-driven, based on the principles of free enterprise so the American dream of homeownership can be protected and preserved for future generations of South Carolinians. Now, therefore,

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

That March 15, 2000, is declared "South Carolina Homeownership Day".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Donna Smith, 2000 President of the South Carolina Association of Realtors.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The Senate sent to the House the following:

S. 1171 (Word version) -- Senator Elliott: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE THE OPEC OIL PRODUCING NATIONS TO INCREASE OIL PRODUCTION AND STABILIZE THE NATION'S GAS AND OIL PRICES.
The Concurrent Resolution was ordered referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions.

The following Bills and Joint Resolutions were introduced, read the first time, and referred to appropriate committees:

H. 4737 (Word version) -- Rep. Harrison: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 14-7-130, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF A JURY LIST FROM A COMPUTER TAPE OF PERSONS HOLDING A VALID

H. 4738 (Word version) -- Reps. Limehouse, Altman, Lee, Lourie, Knotts, Whatley, Allen, Bales, Bowers, T. Brown, Campsen, Clyburn, Davenport, Gourdine, Govan, Harrison, Hayes, Hosey, Inabinett, Kirsh, Koon, Mack, Meacham-Richardson, Riser, Rutherford, Stille, Taylor, Trotter and Whipper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF

H. 4739 (Word version) -- Reps. Limehouse, Tripp, Altman, Knotts, Bales, Bowers, Breeland, T. Brown, Clyburn, Davenport, Gourdine, Inabinett, Koon, Lee, Mack, Parks, Riser, Taylor, Trotter, Whatley and Whipper: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-5-210 SO AS TO REGULATE THE AUTHORITY AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION, AND SOLICITATION OF AND ENTRY INTO VIATICAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry

H. 4740 (Word version) -- Reps. Bales, Altman, Bailey, Battle, T. Brown, Dantzler, Emory, Frye, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, M. Hines, Koon, Loftis, W. McLeod, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Pinckney, Rodgers, Simrill and R. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-37-224, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A TRAVEL TRAILER WITH SLEEPING, COOKING, AND BATHROOM FACILITIES IS CONSIDERED TO BE A PRIMARY OR SECOND RESIDENCE AND IS CONSIDERED REAL PROPERTY FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES.
Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

H. 4741 (Word version) -- Rep. Miller: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, ENACTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRESERVATION OF SCHOOLS TAX BASE ACT, BY ADDING SECTION 4-1-171 SO AS TO SPECIFY THE PROPERTY

H. 4743 (Word version) -- Rep. D. Smith: A BILL TO ENACT THE "SAFE HAVEN FOR ABANDONED BABIES ACT" INCLUDING PROVISIONS TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-85 SO AS TO REQUIRE A HOSPITAL OR HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT FACILITY TO TAKE POSSESSION OF A CHILD VOLUNTARILY DELIVERED BY THE CHILD'S PARENT WHEN THE PARENT DID NOT EXPRESS AN INTENT TO RETURN FOR THE CHILD; TO PROVIDE ANONYMITY FOR THE PARENT AND CHILD BUT TO ALLOW THE HOSPITAL OR FACILITY TO REQUEST MEDICAL INFORMATION; TO REQUIRE THE HOSPITAL OR FACILITY TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO POSSESSION; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD; AND TO GRANT A PARENT IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION FOR UNLAWFUL CONDUCT OR CRUELTY TOWARDS A CHILD OR ANY OTHER VIOLATION FOR LEAVING THE CHILD IF THE PARENT LEAVES THE CHILD WITH THE HOSPITAL OR FACILITY PERSONNEL, THE CHILD IS NO MORE THAN THIRTY DAYS OLD, AND THE CHILD HAS NOT SUSTAINED ANY PHYSICAL HARM OR INJURY.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 4744 (Word version) -- Rep. D. Smith: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 62-5-408, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF THE PROBATE COURT WITH RESPECT TO THE ESTATE AND AFFAIRS OF PROTECTED PERSONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE A NONDISPOSITIVE LIST OF THE POWERS THE COURT HAS OVER THE ESTATE AND AFFAIRS OF A PROTECTED PERSON WHO IS NOT A MINOR.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary

H. 4775 -- Ways and Means Committee: A BILL TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS TO MEET THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING, JULY 1, 2000 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; TO

H. 4776 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE MONIES FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-00.
Without Reference

H. 4777 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE SURPLUS GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND TO TRANSFER TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE A PORTION OF VIDEO POKER LICENSE FEE REVENUES RETAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.
Without Reference

H. 4778 (Word version) -- Ways and Means Committee: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000 SURPLUS GENERAL FUND REVENUES.
Without Reference

S. 1109 (Word version) -- Senators Moore, Short, Reese, Leatherman, Wilson, Courtney, Waldrep, Drummond, Land, O'Dell, McConnell, Peeler, Thomas, Mescher, Bryan, Holland, McGill, Elliott, Giese, Courson, Passailaigue, Branton, Fair, Anderson, Hayes, Washington, Ravenel, Richardson, Bauer, Grooms, Saleeby and Rankin: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT AT THE DISCRETION OF THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD, UP TO FIVE SCHOOL DAYS MISSED BY THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF ANY SCHOOL OF ANY DISTRICT OF THIS STATE DURING SCHOOL YEAR 1999-2000, WHEN THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE MAKE-UP REQUIREMENT OF THE DEFINED MINIMUM PLAN THAT FULL SCHOOL DAYS MISSED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES BE MADE UP.
Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works

The following was introduced:

H. 4742 (Word version) -- Reps. Harvin, Allen, Allison, Altman, Askins, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Barrett, Battle, Bowers, Breeland, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, T. Brown, Campsen, Canty, Carnell, Cato, Chellis, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Easterday, Edge, Emory, Fleming, Frye, Gamble, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hamilton, Harrell, Harris, Harrison, Haskins, Hawkins, Hayes, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, Kennedy, Kirsh, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Maddox, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McKay, M. McLeod, W. McLeod, McMahand, Meacham-Richardson, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J. H. Neal, J. M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinckney, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Riser, Robinson, Rodgers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scott, Seithel, Sharpe, Sheheen, Simrill, F. Smith, J. Smith, R. Smith, D. Smith, Stille, Stuart, Taylor, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Vaughn, Walker, Webb, Whatley, Whipper, Wilder, Wilkes, Wilkins, Witherspoon, Woodrum and Young-Brickell: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE LARRY G. ELLIS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE TO THE ASSOCIATION AND THE EMPLOYEES OF THIS STATE, TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE HIS DEDICATION TO PROMOTING THE WORK OF SOUTH CAROLINA STATE EMPLOYEES BY INCREASING AWARENESS AND IMPROVING THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE JOBS STATE EMPLOYEES DO, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES TO HIM FOR A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE RETIREMENT.

Whereas, Larry G. Ellis of the South Carolina State Employees Association has announced his retirement on April 1, 2000, after thirty years with the Association; and

Whereas, a native of Canton, Illinois, Larry Ellis arrived in Columbia in 1970, following his service in the United States Army where he was stationed in Vietnam. He holds degrees from Western

Whereas, Larry Ellis joined the State Employees Association in 1970, and was named its Executive Director in 1974. He served as President of the South Carolina Society of Association Directors from 1980 - 1982. He has served since 1977 on the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Commission and currently is its Vice-Chairman; and

Whereas, during his tenure as Executive Director of the State Employees Association, significant improvements in state employee and retiree pay and benefits have been made, and the membership in the Association has increased from twelve thousand to twenty-two thousand members. Larry Ellis was responsible for a major statewide expansion of the county chapter program and he began the Association's State Employee Image Enhancement Program; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly recognize Larry Ellis as a strong advocate for improved benefits for state employees and retirees. He has always spoken sincerely and effectively on their behalf. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly congratulate Larry G. Ellis, the Executive Director of the South Carolina State Employees Association, on his retirement after thirty years of loyal service to the Association and the employees of this State, publicly recognize his dedication to promoting the work of South Carolina state employees by increasing awareness and improving the public perception of the jobs state employees do, and extend best wishes to him for a healthy and active retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Larry G. Ellis.

The Concurrent Resolution was agreed to and ordered sent to the Senate.

The roll call of the House of Representatives was taken resulting as follows:

Allen                  Allison                Altman
Askins                 Bailey                 Bales
Barfield               Barrett                Bowers
Breeland               Brown, G.              Brown, H.
Brown, J.              Campsen                Carnell
Cato                   Chellis                Clyburn
Cobb-Hunter            Cotty                  Dantzler
Davenport              Delleney               Easterday
Emory                  Fleming                Frye
Gamble                 Gilham                 Gourdine
Govan                  Hamilton               Harrell
Harrison               Harvin                 Haskins
Hawkins                Hines, J.              Hinson
Hosey                  Huggins                Inabinett
Jennings               Keegan                 Kelley
Kennedy                Kirsh                  Klauber
Knotts                 Koon                   Lanford
Law                    Leach                  Lee
Limehouse              Littlejohn             Lloyd
Loftis                 Lourie                 Lucas
Mack                   Maddox                 Martin
McCraw                 McGee                  McLeod, M.
McLeod, W.             McMahand               Meacham-Richardson
Miller                 Moody-Lawrence         Neal, J.H.
Neal, J.M.             Neilson                Ott
Parks                  Perry                  Phillips
Pinckney               Quinn                  Rhoad
Rice                   Riser                  Robinson
Rodgers                Rutherford             Sandifer
Scott                  Sharpe                 Sheheen
Simrill                Smith, D.              Smith, F.
Smith, J.              Smith, R.              Stille
Stuart                 Taylor                 Tripp
Trotter                Walker                 Webb
Whatley                Wilder                 Wilkes
Wilkins                Witherspoon            Woodrum
Young-Brickell

I came in after the roll call and was present for the Session on Tuesday, March 7.

James Battle                      Mack Hines
Jackie Hayes                      Daniel Cooper
Leon Howard                       Anthony Harris
Ralph Canty                       Jackson Whipper
Tracy Edge                        Ronald Townsend
Lynn Seithel

The SPEAKER granted Rep. Vaughn a leave of absence for the week due to medical reasons.

Announcement was made that Dr. Edward C. O'Bryan of Florence is the Doctor of the Day for the General Assembly.

In accordance with House Rule 5.2 below:
"5.2   Every bill before presentation shall have its title endorsed; every report, its title at length; every petition, memorial, or other paper, its prayer or substance; and, in every instance, the name of the member presenting any paper shall be endorsed and the papers shall be presented by the member to the Speaker at the desk. After a bill or resolution has been presented and given first reading, no further names of co-sponsors may be added. A member may add his name to a bill or resolution or a co-sponsor of a bill or resolution may remove his name at any time prior to the bill or resolution receiving passage on second reading. The member or co-sponsor shall notify the Clerk of the House in writing of his desire to have his name added or removed from the bill or resolution. The Clerk of the House shall print the member's or co-sponsor's written notification in the House Journal. The removal or addition of a name does not apply to a bill or resolution sponsored by a committee."

Bill Number:   H. 3266 (Word version)
Date:   ADD:
03/07/00   MILLER

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 3914 (Word version) -- Reps. Cato, Hayes and Mason: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 38-39-90, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO INSURANCE PREMIUM SERVICE COMPANIES AND CANCELLATION OF INSURANCE CONTRACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A PRO-RATA COMPUTATION OF THE GROSS UNEARNED PREMIUM TO BE RETURNED, AND PROVIDE THAT, IN THE EVENT A PREMIUM IS SUBJECT TO AN AUDIT TO DETERMINE THE FINAL PREMIUM AMOUNT, THE GROSS UNEARNED PREMIUM MUST BE CALCULATED UPON THE DEPOSIT PREMIUM AND THE INSURER SHALL RETURN TO THE PREMIUM SERVICE COMPANY, FOR THE INSURED'S ACCOUNT, THE GROSS UNEARNED PREMIUM BASED UPON THE DEPOSIT PREMIUM AMOUNT.

The Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name NBD\AMEND\11806AC00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/SECTION   1.   Section 38-39-90(e) as amended by Act 181 of 1993, is further amended to read:

"(e)   Whenever an insurance contract is canceled, the insurer shall return whatever gross unearned premiums are due under the insurance contract to the premium service company which financed the premium for the account of the insured. The gross unearned premiums due on personal lines insurance contracts financed by premium service companies must be computed on a pro rata basis."
SECTION   2.   This act takes effect on January 1, 2001./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

The following Bill was taken up:

S. 1008 (Word version) -- Senators Holland and Hutto: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-460 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR DRIVING WHILE A LICENSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED, SUSPENDED, OR REVOKED, SO AS TO PROVIDE MAGISTRATE COURTS WITH EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN ALL CASES INVOLVING DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION EXCEPT THOSE CASES WHERE THE SUSPENSION RESULTED FROM A CONVICTION FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

Rep. HARRISON moved to recommit the Bill, which was agreed to.

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 3553 (Word version) -- Rep. Campsen: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 20-7-8305, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO BOARD OF JUVENILE PAROLE REVIEWS OF CHILDREN COMMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A JUVENILE COMMITTED FOR CERTAIN VIOLENT CRIMES DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE HIS CASE REVIEWED QUARTERLY AND THAT THE BOARD MAY CHOOSE INSTEAD TO CONDUCT ITS REVIEWS LESS FREQUENTLY, BUT AT LEAST ANNUALLY.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\SKB\AMEND\18216SOM00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, in Section 20-7-8305(A)(2)(b) as contained in SECTION 1 by striking on line 16, page 2 / from / and inserting / within /

"(b)   The parole board, in its discretion, may waive the quarterly review of juveniles committed to the department for the commission of a violent crime, as defined in Section 16-1-60, until the juvenile reaches the minimum parole guidelines the board establishes for the juvenile. At that point, the board, in its discretion, is authorized to schedule its first review of the juvenile from three months up to twelve months after the juvenile reaches the minimum parole guidelines established by the board. The scheduling of subsequent reviews is in the discretion of the board but must occur within three to twelve months of the juvenile's last appearance."
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.

The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

The following Bill was taken up:

H. 4543 (Word version) -- Rep. Miller: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 6-1-120, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL TAXPAYER INFORMATION, SO AS TO CLARIFY THAT FINANCIAL INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A RETURN, REPORT, OR APPLICATION FILED WITH A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IS CONFIDENTIAL BUT DOES NOT PROHIBIT THE SHARING OF DATA BETWEEN PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT A PERSON IS SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES IF THE PERSON KNOWINGLY VIOLATES THIS SECTION.

The Judiciary Committee proposed the following Amendment No. 1 (Doc Name COUNCIL\NBD\AMEND\11805AC00), which was adopted:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 6-1-120(A) page 1, line 33 after /information/ by inserting /, or other information indicative of units of goods or services sold,/ so when amended Section 6-1-120(A) reads:

(1)   tax authorized under Article 5 or Article 7 of this chapter;

(2)   business license tax authorized under Section 4-9-30(12) or Section 5-7-30;

(3)   fee the measure of which is

(a) gross proceeds of sales of goods or services,; or

(b) paid admissions to a place of amusement./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and title to conform.

Rep. CAMPSEN explained the amendment.
The amendment was then adopted.

The Bill, as amended, was read the second time and ordered to third reading.

Further proceedings were interrupted by the Joint Assembly.

At 12:30 p.m. the Senate appeared in the Hall of the House. The President of the Senate called the Joint Assembly to order and announced that it had convened under the terms of a Concurrent Resolution adopted by both Houses.

The Reading Clerk of the House read the following Concurrent Resolution:

S. 1149 (Word version) -- Senators Matthews, Patterson, Anderson, Glover and Washington: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION INVITING THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL AND ASSISTANT

Doctor David Satcher and distinguished party were escorted to the rostrum by Senators LEATHERMAN, MATTHEWS, GIESE and WASHINGTON and Representatives WILDER, HOWARD, ASKINS and J. BROWN.
The President of the Senate introduced Doctor David Satcher.

Doctor David Satcher addressed the Joint Assembly as follows:

"Thank you very much Lt. Governor Peeler for that very kind welcome. To all of you, it is a delight to be here in South Carolina and I am very honored to have been asked to speak to the General Assembly. I had a chance to be with Governor Hodges earlier this morning at J.P. Thomas Elementary School where I also had an opportunity to spend about an hour with students in grades three, four and five. It was quite a pleasant experience. I bring you greetings from Washington, especially from the Department of Health and Human Services. We have a very rich and productive relationship with the South Carolina State Health Department and I have admired over the years your work here, especially in the area of immunizations.

It is good to be here.   I feel in a way as if I have roots in South Carolina. I was telling people earlier that, when I was a student at Morehouse College back in the sixties, the President was Dr. Benjamin E. Mayes, who grew up in Epworth, South Carolina. He talked about South Carolina so much until most of us Morehouse students felt like we had a bond.

It is good to be here and especially to be able to commend you on your willingness to cross into this new millennium with a commitment to children and the elderly and a commitment to eliminating disparities in health on the basis of race and ethnicity. These are our nation's most vulnerable populations.

The Public Health Service actually started a little over two hundred years ago with the commitment to the most vulnerable among us, which were at that time, merchant seamen. When they went out to do their jobs, they often became ill with infectious diseases like yellow fever and smallpox. So in 1798, the Marine Hospital Service was set up to meet their needs. Throughout our long history, we have maintained

I know also that this administration has made education a top priority and I commend you for that because education is vital to improving health. Educated people are generally healthier people. The two seem to go hand in hand and I was so impressed to see what was going on out at J.P. Thomas.

I want to congratulate you also for being awarded one of our special grants last year called, 'Safe Schools and Healthy Children'. Anderson School District Five was one of fifty-four districts that we funded throughout the country through our 'Safe Schools and Healthy Children' project. It is a special program where the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have come together across agency lines to put together a program and to fund communities that are willing to collaborate across lines of mental health, criminal justice, education and a faith-based community. Those are the communities that we have funded in these 'Safe Schools and Healthy Children' programs and we expect to learn a lot from the experience of these programs.

In this age of great progress in medical technology, as a nation we celebrate many, many accomplishments. But we have also witnessed a lot of breakthroughs in medicine in the last century. However, there is good news and bad news in terms of our health status. In the 1990's we continued to see a decline in heart disease, even continued to see a decline in disastrous motor vehicle crashes and for the first time a decline in teenage pregnancy in this country. But in areas like physical activity, obesity, diabetes, asthma in children...we did not see a decline; we saw an increase. So we go into this decade with 'Healthy People 2010'. This program as you know was announced first in February of 1998, during one of President Clinton's Saturday morning radio talk shows in which he discussed the commitment to eliminate disparities in health. My responsibility was leading it as the new Surgeon General at that time. We have been working very hard over the last two years and I want to share with you briefly where we are.

We decided to focus on six areas to begin with. They include infant mortality, breast and cervical cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, the AIDS epidemic and immunizations. Let me share with you why we are concerned in these areas.

Nationally, an African-American baby born in this country today is twice as likely to die in the first year of life as a majority baby is. In South Carolina, up until 1996, a great deal of progress was made in infant mortality, as you know. But in 1997, the trend was reversed and the death rate for both African-American and white babies started to rise again. Approximately forty percent of pregnant women are not receiving early and continuing prenatal care. That is one of the areas that we are really targeting throughout the country. In terms of reducing infant mortality, we must improve access to prenatal care.

In the areas of cancer, it is interesting because although nationally white women have the highest risk of breast cancer of any group of women in this country, African-American women have the highest mortality rate. We don't fully understand that. We think it has a lot to do with access, but there is a lot of research going on to try to better understand that. African-American men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. There are other areas such as Asian-Americans who are three to five times as likely to die from liver cancer. In South Carolina, as is in the rest of the nation, breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men show striking disparities between whites and African-Americans.

Also nationally, African-Americans suffer from heart disease at a rate twenty-five percent higher in males than white males, but in women the death rate from heart disease is forty percent higher. Those rates are about the same in South Carolina. African-Americans are about one and a half times more likely to die of heart disease than their white counterparts.

Diabetes is one our most interesting challenges and I know many of you have personal or family experiences with diabetes. Nationally, American Indians have the highest risk of diabetes of any group in this country - three times the risk of the majority of the population. Hispanics have twice the risk, but interestingly enough, again, African-Americans suffer from diabetes at not the same rate as these two populations but African-Americans have the highest death rate from diabetes. In South Carolina, African-American men are two and one -half times as likely to die from diabetes and African-American women are four times as likely to die from diabetes as their white counterparts. We believe that what we are seeing here is the interaction between diabetes and hypertension. When those come together, they often cause renal disease, which becomes a major risk factor. So you see some of the areas that we are struggling with in terms of trying to understand and try to begin to close the gaps.

Even the AIDS epidemic, which started out in the early 1980's as primarily an epidemic of white gay men in this country, has in recent years changed. It has become increasingly an epidemic of people of color, of women and the young. We have done a very good job of educating the general public about this epidemic. We have made progress in some populations, we have a lot to do in others and that is what we are focusing on now. In South Carolina African-Americans account for sixty-five percent of AIDS cases although they represent only thirty percent of the population. Among African-Americans in South Carolina between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four today AIDS is the leading cause of death. Overall in South Carolina, AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death, whereas nationally it is the fourteenth leading cause of death.

In the area of immunizations, we made dramatic progress in the 1990's and South Carolina is really one of the outstanding models of progress in immunizations. Back in 1992 and 1993 when I was director of the CDC, South Carolina, like most of the other states in this country, had a very low immunization rate - just above fifty percent. You made a commitment to close that gap, you did outstanding work and today the immunization rates for children, at about the age of two, is about ninety percent. I don't know if you realize what that means- how many lives have been saved because children are not dying from influenza meningitis, for example. It is true for all children. This is an area because of progress in which you have also closed the gap and it shows what can be done. We have not done such a good job nationally or in South Carolina in terms of immunization for older adults. As you know, we recommend the flu vaccine for adults over sixty-five and we are going to change that to over fifty. We have a long way to go in all groups in terms of meeting that goal. So, while we recognize that eliminating disparities will not be easy, we do believe it is a realistic goal and that if we work together, we can achieve it.

Why is it so important that we do this now? First, I think we do have an unusual window of opportunity at this time in our history. We have a rapidly aging population and we have a growing population that is becoming more diverse. I think both of these challenges and opportunities are things that we have to deal with. I want to make it very clear that the goal of eliminating disparities is not a zero sum gain. We don't believe that we have to take anything away from any group in order to improve the health status of another group. I think we have shown that with immunizations.

We believe that, when we target the needs of the most vulnerable among us, we improve the public health system and we improve the health of all people. We have done that with immunization, we have done that with breast cancer screening and I think we can do that across the board. It is not a zero sum gain; you don't lower the health status of one group in order to close the gap, you improve everybody's. But obviously, those who are further behind move more rapidly.

Where are we today with this commitment? Several things have happened. In addition to what we are trying to do in Washington, several states and local governments have made commitments to eliminating disparities in health. In addition to that - it is not just a public program - grant makers in health, which represents two hundred foundations that fund health programs - have joined us and have funded programs throughout the country. We have now funded thirty-two communities throughout the country to develop models for eliminating disparities in health. Each of these communities will select one or two areas, like infant mortality or diabetes or heart disease.

There is one program funded in South Carolina that focuses on diabetes and I think that is quite appropriate. It is a major problem in South Carolina and we look forward to working with you in the area of diabetes and I believe we can make some huge progress.

Many people ask me, how are we going to do it, what are we actually going to do? I want to just share with you the strategy that I think is important and I think it is embodied in healthy people. Since 1980, we have been releasing plans for the health of the American people - plans not developed in Washington, but developed with state and local governments, the private sector, and in healthy communities, deciding what goals and objectives we will pursue and working toward them. We have made tremendous progress.

A month ago we announced 'Healthy People 2010' with two goals. The first goal is in response to the fact that America is an aging nation, the fastest growing group of people in this country are people over eighty years of age. So, in addition to working to increase the length of life, we are also focusing on improving the quality of life. So, we have added things like osteoporosis and arthritis, the management of chronic pain and the management of disabilities, something we have not had before as a part of healthy people - because we are concerned with not just the length of life, but the quality of life. We believe that older people should not have to suffer the last ten to twenty years of their lives. We believe there are ways to significantly enhance the quality of life for all the people of this country.

The second goal is the goal of eliminating disparities in health. We have incorporated that into 'Healthy People 2010'. The unfortunate thing, of course, is that over the last twenty years we have had a lot of trouble communicating healthy goals and objectives to the American people. This year we have four hundred sixty-seven objectives. It is pretty hard to communicate four hundred sixty-seven objectives to the American people. So, what we decided to do this year is to develop leading health indicators. They are like leading economic indicators. We want to be able to report to the American people on an annual basis how we are doing in terms of our health.

We have now selected ten areas which I want to share with you that we are going to follow. We have data sets to follow them called the ten leading health indicators. Five of these leading health indicators are lifestyles. They are things that people have to do in terms of their behavior. At the J. P. Thomas Elementary School this morning I talked with students about these lifestyle indicators. I really think it is important to focus on behavior. There are five.

The first one is tobacco use because tobacco today is the leading cause of death in this country. Four hundred thirty thousand people die every year from smoking. We really need to focus on what we can do to prevent our children from beginning to smoke in the first place and so we are committed to working with you in that arena. Children often become addicted to nicotine actually before they are old enough to legally purchase tobacco. So they really never have a chance to make a mature decision before they are old enough. We have a responsibility there. I think in all of our communities we have a responsibility to see that retailers do not sell cigarettes to children, but we also have the responsibility to see that children have the information and the motivation they need to say no to smoking, as well as to other drugs, -heroin, cocaine, marijuana - and to the abuse of alcohol. As you know when the states entered into their agreement for the tobacco settlement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied the situation in terms of what it would take to develop programs not only to convince children not to smoke but also adults. Seventy percent of adults would like to quit, but only three percent are able to quit per year. We believe that a program ought to do both. We hope that every state will make the investment from the settlement funds necessary to really invest in our children's health.

Some of you remember when Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine. You remember how parents felt about their children going to the swimming pool in the summer - worried about them getting polio. I

The second leading health indicator is physical activity. In the 1990's, the American people became less physically active than before. Obesity rose to an all time high in both children and adults. In fact, obesity in children doubled in the 1990's in this country. When I was in training in medicine, we were told that you did not even think about Type II Diabetes, which we call adult onset, in anybody under forty years of age. Today we are seeing children as young as ten years of age with Type II Diabetes because of obesity in childhood. We really need to invest in physical activity in children. We need to convince them of developing a lifestyle of being physically active. We need to invest in physical education in the schools. I know that ninety percent of the states have cut back on their physical education programs. In fact, when we interviewed teenagers, only one in four will be taking a course in physical education in school. I believe that is penny-wise and pound-foolish. I really think it is time to revisit that, not just in our schools, but in our communities and homes. Parents ought to be models of physical activity. As I told the man out at J. P. Thomas, even the oldest people in the country can benefit from physical activity. Our studies show that elderly people who are physically active are fifty percent less likely to suffer hip fractures than those who are not physically active. It is not just an individual responsibility, it is a community responsibility, to make sure that physical education is in the schools and to make sure that we invest in walking and biking trails. South Carolina is, of course, a beautiful state for physical activity.

Being overweight and obesity is the third leading health indicator and it includes both physical activity and nutrition. We are especially pushing five servings of fruits and vegetables per day in order to reduce the fat in the American diet and to increase the fiber. When you do that, you reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Finally, I mentioned substance abuse. When we think of substance abuse, especially among children, we think of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and we are, of course, working very hard in those areas. We don't think enough about alcohol, which is the leading drug of abuse among children and college students. It is a major risk factor for motor

Finally, among the leading health indicators that are lifestyle oriented is responsible sexual behavior. I think there is a dual message here. Sex is great, sex is beautiful, but sex is also a responsibility. It is nothing to take for granted and it is nothing to play with. We need to talk to our children about the importance of being abstinent until they are involved in a committed relationship. We ought to make that the standard. I must say that more of our teenagers are listening. Our records show that fewer and fewer teenagers are becoming sexually active. We have fewer teenage pregnancies; we still have far too many, far too many cases of sexually transmitted diseases, but we are making progress. In addition to that, regardless of age, anybody who is sexually active has a responsibility to know how to protect himself, herself and others. It is a very serious responsibility in the age of not only sexually transmitted diseases, but in the age of AIDS. I hope that you will join us in really pushing these leading health indicators.

Those are the lifestyle ones; however, I want to close with the system's leading health indicators and start with access to healthcare. We have a tremendous health system in this country. We spend over 1.3 trillion dollars a year for health care - more than any other country, but yet we have over forty-four million people who are uninsured. We have many people who are underinsured. The issue of access to quality healthcare is a major challenge that we are facing today. One of the major opportunities we have is the child health insurance program - the CHIP program. Many states have worked hard over the years to get children covered either by Medicaid or by the special CHIP program. We want to encourage that because all of the information we have would say that children who have access to regular care do much better. In order to do that we are going to have to invest in getting more children interested in careers in health professions, not just medicine but all the health professions.

Mental health is another one of the leading health indicators. As you know, in December we came out with the first ever Surgeon General 's report on mental health. One in five Americans suffers some form of mental illness every year in this country. What is unfortunate is that we know that with treatment eighty to ninety percent of them can be returned to productive lives and positive relationships and yet only one out of two people who suffer mental illness actually seek treatment. We need to get rid of the discrimination in access to mental health services. I want to assure you that it is one of the best

Injury and violence prevention is another indicator in the health systems. Again in South Carolina, as is throughout the nation, injuries are the leading cause of death among children, in fact, up until age 44. In addition to motor vehicle crashes, homicides and suicides are the leading causes of death. In the black population in South Carolina, among teenagers and young adults, homicide is a major problem. In the white population suicide is a major problem. They are both problems for both groups, but without question white children are more likely to commit suicide. We will be presenting a national strategy for suicide prevention by the end of this year. Even without focusing on what is happening in our schools and the killings that occurred last week, we do need to find a way to keep guns out of the hands of children. Seventy-five percent of suicides in South Carolina among teenagers are committed with guns. That means, unlike when you overdose, we don't get a second chance. I remember when many kids would come in with an overdose of pills and we would pump their stomachs, realize they were depressed and refer them to treatment. When kids pick up a gun and put it to their head, we don't get that chance.

Let me close - environmental quality is another one of our leading health indicators. There is a story I have been telling around the country. It is a story about a college basketball player who was outstanding. He was so good until when he graduated, he was drafted very early to go to the Chicago Bulls to play right along with Michael Jordan. He really worked hard. This guy was serious. He worked diligently and sure enough the day came when he was selected to start the game right along with Michael Jordan. He couldn't wait until the game that night. He played hard. That particular night Michael Jordan was at his best and scored sixty points. And the rookie scored one point. When the game was over, the press was anxious to interview both Michael Jordan and the rookie. They interviewed Michael and he was great. They all had one question for the rookie. 'How will you remember this night?' The rookie thought about it and said, 'I will remember this as the night Michael Jordan and I combined for sixty-one points.'

I want to remember this day when we had an opportunity to enter into a partnership to improve the health of the people of this country, to eliminate disparities in health in South Carolina and to improve the public health system for all people. With the right partnerships we can do it. That is why I am delighted to be here today and why I look forward to working with you. Thank you."

Upon the conclusion of his address, Doctor David Satcher and his escort party retired from the Chamber.

The purposes of the Joint Assembly having been accomplished, the PRESIDENT announced that under the terms of the Concurrent Resolution the Joint Assembly would recede from business.
The Senate accordingly retired to its Chamber.

At 1:10 p.m. the House resumed, the SPEAKER in the Chair.

Rep. SCOTT moved that the House do now adjourn, which was agreed to.

At 1:15 p.m. the House, in accordance with the motion of Rep. SANDIFER, adjourned in memory of Alleene Watkins, to meet at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:18 A.M.