Committee Report

April 5, 2023

S. 648

Introduced by Senator Grooms

S. Printed 04/05/23--H.

Read the first time March 29, 2023

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The committee on House Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

To who was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 648) to request that the Department of Natural Resources name the heritage preserve on Capers Island the "George E. Campsen, Jr. Capers Island Heritage Preserve" and, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

DENNIS MOSS for Committee.

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A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NAME THE HERITAGE PRESERVE ON CAPERS ISLAND THE "GEORGE E. CAMPSEN, JR. CAPERS ISLAND HERITAGE PRESERVE" AND ERECT MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly would like to recognize George Earle Campsen, Jr., a former South Carolina legislator, born July 11, 1929, in Charleston; and

Whereas, Mr. Campsen was born to parents George Earle Campsen and Estelle Miller Campsen. He attended Charleston public schools and graduated from the High School of Charleston in 1947. In 1951, he graduated from The Citadel, where he was captain of the boxing team, a member of the Rifle Team, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, an executive officer of Golf Company, and a recipient of the Washington Light Infantry Medal; and

Whereas, a United States veteran, Mr. Campsen served as an officer in the Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1955; and

Whereas, Mr. Campsen practiced law on Broad Street in Charleston for over forty years, specializing in civil litigation. He also founded Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. in 1961, which, along with affiliated companies, dinner cruises, private charters, harbor tours, and ferries to Fort Sumter National Historical Park in Charleston Harbor, still operates today; and

Whereas, from 1958 to 1964, Mr. Campsen served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he served as chairman of a joint legislative committee that reformed South Carolina's criminal laws, chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee, and secretary of the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee; and

Whereas, upon completing his legislative service, Governor McNair appointed Mr. Campsen as chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee, where he served until 1971. He led efforts to restructure the committee into the current Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. In 1964, he served as South Carolina co-chairman of the Goldwater Presidential Campaign, and in 1972 he served as chairman of the Re-Elect Thurmond Committee for the First Congressional District; and

Whereas, a civic leader, Mr. Campsen served in numerous organizations, including as a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, the vice president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, a chairman and member of the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, the president of the Executive Association of Greater Charleston, and a member of the National Park Hospitality Association, the Patriots Point Development Authority, the Trident Economic Development Authority, and the Roper Foundation; and

Whereas, Mr. Campsen hunted on Capers Island in his youth and fished on and around Capers Island his entire life. It is fitting that the last public service job before his death on December 14, 2010, at the age of eighty-one, was as "Caretaker of Capers Island", unselfishly patrolling and stewarding this treasured barrier island. It would be fitting and proper to pay tribute to this son of South Carolina by naming a portion of land in the State in his honor. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Natural Resources name the heritage preserve on Capers Island the "George E. Campsen, Jr. Capers Island Heritage Preserve" and erect markers or signs at this location containing this designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources and presented to the family of George E. Campsen, Jr.

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