H 4624 General Bill, By Gilliard, Whipper and R.L. Brown
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 1-10-166 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE HERITAGE
 ACT, THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE CITADEL, THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH
 CAROLINA, MAY REMOVE THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG OR ANY OTHER WAR BETWEEN THE
 STATES FLAG PREVIOUSLY PLACED IN SUMMERALL CHAPEL AT THE COLLEGE.

   01/12/16  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 115)
   01/12/16  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 1115)
   02/04/16  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Whipper,
                     R.L.Brown

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-10-166 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE HERITAGE ACT, THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE CITADEL, THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY REMOVE THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG OR ANY OTHER WAR BETWEEN THE STATES FLAG PREVIOUSLY PLACED IN SUMMERALL CHAPEL AT THE COLLEGE.

Whereas, in 1939 a Confederate battle flag sometimes referred to as the Confederate Naval Jack was placed in Summerall Chapel at The Citadel as "a tribute to the courage and valor shown by American manhood in fighting for a cause"; and

Whereas, the Confederate Naval Jack indisputably has been a major source of controversy among those who view it as a symbol of heritage and those who view it as a symbol of racial hatred; and

Whereas, in 2015, the mass murder of nine African-Americans at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the confessed gunman's expressed hopes of causing a race war prompted The Citadel Board of Visitors to vote to move the Confederate Naval Jack from Summerall Chapel to an appropriate location consistent with core values of the college and to promote unity during this time of healing. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 10, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-10-166. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10-1-165, the Board of Visitors of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, may remove the Confederate Battle Flag or any other War Between the States flag previously placed in Summerall Chapel at the college."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.