South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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H. 5305

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Lourie, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Haskins, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
Document Path: l:\council\bills\dka\3930dw04.doc

Introduced in the House on May 19, 2004
Introduced in the Senate on May 19, 2004
Adopted by the General Assembly on May 19, 2004

Summary: Robert Allen Owens

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   5/19/2004  House   Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-26
   5/19/2004  Senate  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-26

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

5/19/2004

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND THE EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM OF ROBERT ALLEN OWENS WHO WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS VALOR, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST AWARD THAT CAN BE BESTOWED UPON A MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

Whereas, throughout our nation's history, men and women in all eras from Concord and Lexington to Falleujah have gone in harm's way to protect and secure our country's freedom and way of life; and

Whereas, to recognize extraordinary heroism the Congress of the United States established the Medal of Honor which represents the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

Whereas, there have been more than three thousand four hundred recipients but fewer than one hundred forty remain with us today; and

Whereas, most recipients of the medal are ordinary Americans from ordinary backgrounds who, under extraordinary circumstances and at great risk to their own lives, performed an incredible act or a series of acts of conspicuous valor that clearly sets them apart from their comrades; and

Whereas, thirty-seven citizens with South Carolina roots have received the Medal of Honor since its inception; and

Whereas, Robert Allen Owens is one of these South Carolinians; and

Whereas, born September 13, 1920, Mr. Owens achieved the rank of Sergeant, United States Marine Corps and served with honor and distinction at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands on November 1, 1943; and

Whereas, he received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine division; and

Whereas, Sergeant Owens charged into the mouth of a strongly protected, well-camouflaged Japanese 75mm regimental gun and, along with his comrades, drove the gun crew out the rear door insuring their destruction before he was wounded; and

Whereas, by his brilliant initiative and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, Sergeant Owens contributed immeasurably to the success of the vital landing operation; and

Whereas, his valiant conduct throughout this action reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to publicly recognize and honor Sergeant Robert Allen Owens, this brave and courageous American, for his extraordinary heroism in the defense of our country and her ideals which epitomizes the very best of what America stands for. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly commend the extraordinary heroism of Robert Allen Owens who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor, which is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces of the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Sergeant Robert Allen Owens.

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