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TO ENCOURAGE ALL CHURCHES AND OTHER HOUSES OF WORSHIP IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND PUBLIC SAFETY BY EMPLOYING COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES, PARTICULARLY THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF SECURITY CAMERAS AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly acknowledges the undeniably important role that churches and other houses of worship play in American society, providing not only places of religious expression and worship, but also as centers for social fellowship, community service, cultural nurturing, and civic mobilization; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly acknowledges that running parallel to the role that churches and other houses of worship play in American society is a history of violence against houses of worship and their attendees, often undertaken in an effort to suppress not only religious worship but also to thwart secular pursuits conducted in churches to better the community; and
Whereas, the horrific mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston earlier this year made the world painfully aware that such violence against churches and their worshipers is not a closed chapter in American History, but is shockingly a part of its present; and
Whereas, mindful of the need to protect religious liberties and public safety in this State, the South Carolina General Assembly calls upon all churches and other houses of worship in South Carolina to employ comprehensive security measures, particularly the installation and use of security cameras and surveillance systems, which also may provide necessary information to investigating law enforcement and evidence when a crime against a church occurs. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, encourage all churches and other houses of worship in South Carolina to protect religious freedom and public safety by employing comprehensive security measures, particularly the installation and use of security cameras and surveillance systems.
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