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TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE DEPARTMENT'S REPLACEMENT BRIDGE LOCATED ALONG SPANISH WELLS ROAD ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND "CHARLIE SIMMONS, SR. MEMORIAL BRIDGE" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS BRIDGE THAT CONTAIN THE WORDS "CHARLIE SIMMONS, SR. MEMORIAL BRIDGE".
Whereas, Mr. Charlie Simmons, Sr., died on May 10, 2005, at the age of ninety-nine; and
Whereas, before the first bridge was constructed to connect Hilton Head Island to South Carolina's mainland, Mr. Simmons operated the first mechanized ferry in the 1930's that offered daily service between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia; and
Whereas, for more than thirty years "Mr. Transportation", as he was known among the local community, provided food and drink to his passengers as he transported farm produce, seafood, livestock, mail, and other goods on his ferryboats; and
Whereas, his ferryboat service also served as a lifeline for Hilton Head Island by providing medical access to ailing islanders by connecting them with mainland doctors. Bringing new life to many families, he transported midwives who delivered babies for mothers living on Hilton Head Island; and
Whereas, in addition, his ferryboats transported Gullah children who were able to complete their education at mainland schools, because there were no public high schools on the island; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to remember the legacy of this outstanding businessman and humanitarian by naming a bridge on Hilton Head Island in his honor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly request that the Department of Transportation name the department's replacement bridge located along Spanish Wells Road on Hilton Head Island "Charlie Simmons, Sr. Memorial Bridge" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this bridge that contain the words "Charlie Simmons, Sr. Memorial Bridge".
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
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