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The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5120 -- Rep. McAbee: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DESIGNATE AND NAME A PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 23 AS "R. CLARK DUBOSE HIGHWAY".

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

That the General Assembly of South Carolina requests the Department of Transportation to designate and name South Carolina Highway 23 beginning one mile east of the city limits of Ridge Spring and continuing one mile west of the city limits of Ridge Spring as "R. Clark Dubose Highway". The department also is requested to install appropriate markers and signs on the highway.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5122 -- Rep. Keyserling: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DESIGNATE AND NAME A CROSSING IN BEAUFORT COUNTY AS THE "MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL CROSSING".

Whereas, the citizens of Beaufort County and South Carolina wish to recognize all the men and women of the United States Marine Corps who have and will receive recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Paris Island as well as the Navy and Marine Corps personnel who provide this training, which is the finest in the world; and

Whereas, the citizens desire to express their gratitude and appreciation for the long and meaningful friendship between South Carolina's military and civilian communities. Now, therefore,

That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina request the Department of Transportation to designate and name the crossing from Port Royal, over Battery Creek, and to Parris Island as the "Marine Corps Memorial Crossing". The department also is requested to install appropriate markers and signs on the crossing.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5141 -- Reps. Harvin, Askins, Baxley, G. Brown, Canty, Cobb-Hunter, Harrelson, Harwell, Hines, Houck, Inabinett, McKay, McElveen, McLeod and Neal: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE SOUTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE AND MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION TO RENAME THE "JOHN C. LAND LANDING" AT THE END OF SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 260 BELOW THE LAKE MARION DAM AS THE "BORROW PIT LANDING" AND TO RENAME THE "LOG JAM LANDING" ON TAWCAW CREEK ON LAKE MARION AS THE "LOG JAM LANDING-JOHN C. LAND SPORTSFISHING AND BOATING CENTER".

Whereas, the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission recognized one of our own by naming a boat landing for John C. Land, III, that fine senator representing District 36, Lee, Clarendon, and Sumter Counties and Majority Leader of the South Carolina Senate; and

Whereas, it has been determined that a more fitting tribute for this dedicated statesman who represents the people of his district with distinction would be to name a different landing as the "John C. Land Sportsfishing and Boating Center"; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are in agreement that our distinguished colleague is deserving of this honor and take this time to thank him for his devoted service to the people of this State. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly request the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission to rename the "John C. Land

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Commission, Senator and Mrs. John C. Land, Mr. John C. Land, IV, Miss Frances R. Land, and Mr. William C. Land.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

S. 1353 -- Senator Drummond: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO CONSIDER MAINTAINING THE CURRENT ALLOCATION SYSTEM FOR THE STATE REVOLVING FUND CAPITALIZATION GRANTS WHICH IS PROPOSED TO BE CHANGED AS A PART OF S.1114 PRESENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

Whereas, it has come to the attention of the members of the General Assembly that S.1114, presently pending before the United States Senate, attempts to change the allocation system for State Revolving Fund capitalization grants; and

Whereas, these allocations, as proposed, will significantly and adversely affect the State's ongoing efforts to remediate water quality issues facing many states; and

Whereas, it will be necessary to modify long range plans which were developed based on a presumption of funding levels consistent with the present allocation formula. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly urge the members of Congress to consider maintaining the current allocation system, and to oppose enacting legislation such as S.1114, which would impose a hardship on South Carolina and provide unexpected windfalls to other states.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered returned to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

S. 1355 -- Senator Washington: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO DESIGNATE AND NAME THE CROSSWALK AT SECONDARY ROAD S-428 OVER INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-95 IN RIDGELAND, JASPER COUNTY, AS THE "JUANITA M. WHITE CROSSWALK" AND TO INSTALL APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS.

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, requests the Department of Highways and Public Transportation to designate and name the crosswalk at Secondary Road S-428 over Interstate Highway I-95 in Ridgeland, Jasper County, as the "Juanita M. White Crosswalk" and to install appropriate markers or signs at or adjacent to the crosswalk, as the department considers advisable containing the words "Juanita M. White Crosswalk".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Highways and Public Transportation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered returned to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 4986 -- Reps. Townsend, Stille and Allison: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE, AND OPERATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE DUE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1, 1996, SHALL BE COMPILED AND SUBMITTED WHICH SHALL INCLUDE REGIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS.

Rep. STILLE moved to adjourn debate upon the Concurrent Resolution, which was adopted.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, requests the Department of Highways and Public Transportation to designate and name the intersection of Pine Knoll Drive and Highway 29 in Greenville County as the "Levis Gilstrap Intersection" and to install appropriate markers or signs at or adjacent to the intersection, as the department considers advisable, containing the words "Levis Gilstrap Intersection".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Highways and Public Transportation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5123 -- Reps. Davenport, Littlejohn, Walker, Sharpe, Allison, Wells, D. Smith, Beatty, Phillips and Lanford: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ACT TO PRESERVE CONGRESSIONAL PREROGATIVES AND NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY IN CONSIDERATION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT.

Whereas, the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade has been negotiated and is scheduled for signature in Marrakesh, Morocco; and

Whereas, implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement will require approval of the Congress of the United States; and

Whereas, the Uruguay Round Agreement focuses on both tariff and nontarriff barriers to trade, and as such, nations party to the agreement must conform service sector regulations, environmental and safety standards, and food service requirements to the agreement's provision or face mandatory sanctions; and

Whereas, implementation costs of the agreement, including revenue losses from tariff reductions, are estimated by Rep. Richard Gephart to cost forty billion dollars over the first ten years thus requiring spending cuts or tax increases, or both, in order to avoid increasing the federal deficit; and

Whereas, the agreement establishes the World Trade Organization that has significantly greater powers and broader functions than the existing GATT; and

Whereas, the agreement would deny the United States the right to impose unilaterally many of our most successful market opening tools, including Section 301; and

Whereas, it is essential that the Congress act to preserve national sovereignty and congressional and state prerogatives in any agreement governing the international trading system. Now, therefore,

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

That the Congress of the United States is memorialized to act to preserve congressional prerogatives and national sovereignty in the consideration of the Uruguay Round Agreement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate representing this State.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

S. 1375 -- Senator Moore: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE 1994 AS A CRITICAL YEAR FOR DETERMINING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE EDISTO RIVER BASIN AND TO DECLARE 1994 AS THE "YEAR OF THE EDISTO".

Whereas, the Edisto River is the longest free flowing blackwater river in the United States, winding through twelve counties in South Carolina from Saluda County to Edisto Island; and

Whereas, the Edisto River is rich in natural heritage including critical natural communities and habitat for several endangered and threatened species; and

Whereas, the Edisto River Basin is benefiting from a nationally recognized natural wetland system which provides flood control, cost effective waste treatment, wildlife habitat, tourism opportunities, and other values to the citizens that can be managed as an asset in providing for jobs, housing, and needed economic development in the area. However, the uniqueness of the Edisto River Basin, many of its current natural resource values, and opportunities for economic enhancement of its citizens could be lost without proactive planning on the part of the local citizens; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Water Resources Commission, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism have embarked on a public policy process that will generate a common vision for the future of the Edisto River Basin founded on the collection and delivery of environmental resources information and expert opinion and analysis as decision support for the citizens, public officials, and private sector businesses in the region; and

Whereas, United States Senator Ernest F. Hollings, with the support of other delegation members, has spearheaded efforts to secure federal funds for the Edisto River Basin Project and made this effort a national pilot program as an innovative approach to natural resource management. The National Research Council Mapping Science Committee has recognized the project as a model for government partnerships in generating state-of-the-art information management system support for decision making which is a critical component of building a national spatial data infrastructure; and

Whereas, the Edisto River Basin Task Force made up of local citizens will recommend the best ways to use and protect the basin's resources while expanding its economic base. For the first time, local citizens representing a wide spectrum of interests in all twelve counties of the Edisto River Basin are now meeting to recommend priorities and decide directions for the river basin utilization over the next decade. Now, therefore,

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

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered returned to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5161 -- Rep. J. Bailey: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MEMORIALIZE THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO PROMPTLY ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR MEDICAL CARE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

Whereas, thirty-seven million Americans are without health insurance and many more are under-insured because of the effects of rising health care costs. The costs of health care are escalating by as much as seventeen percent each year. This has forced employers to trim the level and availability of health care benefits to their employees; and

Whereas, polling of citizens shows that a substantial majority feel that affordable health care is the number one economic issue facing them; and

Whereas, over-utilization of medical services for relatively small claims is one of the most significant causes of health care cost increases. More than two-thirds of all insurance claims for medical spending are less than three thousand dollars each year for families in this country; and

Whereas, the concept of medical savings accounts has developed in response to the runaway cost increases of health care in this country. This initiative is designed to bring market forces to bear on health care and its financing. It is predicated on providing incentives to eliminate unnecessary medical treatment and encourage competition in seeking health care; and

Whereas, through employer-funded medical care savings and reduced cost catastrophic insurance policies, millions of Americans could insure themselves for both routine and major medical services. Under the concept of medical care savings accounts, an employer making annual premium payments of four thousand five hundred dollars per employee each year, the national average, would invest three thousand into a medical care bank account for each employee. From this amount, the employee would pay the first three thousand dollars of medical expenses. The remaining one thousand five hundred dollars of the employer's contribution would go toward the purchase of a group policy to cover

Whereas, by making medical care decisions the employee's prerogative, individuals have a strong stake in reducing costs. This simple financial mechanism also will expand health insurance options to others who presently have no insurance. Most importantly, this move to decrease health care cost burdens in this country would require no new federal bureaucracy and would be revenue neutral to employers. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to promptly enact legislation to enable Americans to establish medical care savings accounts.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered sent to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

S. 1282 -- Senator Moore: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE JOHN L. HIXON BRIDGE IN THE NORTH AUGUSTA AREA TO THE JOHN L. HIXON INTERCHANGE.

Whereas, the John L. Hixon Bridge is located at Exit Number 1 off United States Interstate 20; and

Whereas, due to the amount of construction in the area of the bridge, it is necessary to change the name of the bridge to reflect the change in the area. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation to change the name of the John L. Hixon Bridge in the North Augusta area to the John L. Hixon Interchange.

The Concurrent Resolution was adopted and ordered returned to the Senate.

The following Concurrent Resolution was taken up.

H. 5189 -- Reps. Phillips, McCraw, Farr, Littlejohn, Walker, Wells, Lanford, Allison and D. Smith: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEVELOP AND APPROVE QUICKLY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.

Whereas, a modern, well maintained, efficient, and interconnected transportation system is vital to the economic growth and health and the global competitiveness of our State and the entire nation; and

Whereas, the highway network is the backbone of a transportation system for the movement of people, goods, and internodal connectivity; and

Whereas, it is critical to effectively address highway transportation needs through appropriate transportation plans and program investments; and

Whereas, the 1991 Internodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) established the concept of a one hundred fifty-five thousand mile National Highway System which includes the Interstate System; and

Whereas, on December 9, 1993, the United States Department of Transportation transmitted to Congress a one hundred fifty-nine thousand mile proposed National Highway System which identified one hundred four port facilities, one hundred forty-three airports, one hundred ninety-one rail-truck terminals, three hundred twenty-one Amtrack stations, and three hundred nineteen transit terminals; and

Whereas, ISTEA requires that the National Highway System and interstate maintenance funds not be released to the states if the system is not improved by September 30, 1994; and

Whereas, the uncertainty associated with the future of the National Highway System precludes the possibility of the State to effectively undertake the necessary and properly developed planning and programming activities. Now, therefore,

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

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