H*3345(Rat #0022, Act #0011 of 2007)  General Bill, By Ceips, Harrison, 
E.H. Pitts and J.E. Smith
 AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 1-1-618 SO AS TO DESIGNATE AUGUST 16TH EVERY YEAR AS SOUTH CAROLINA AIRBORNE
 HERITAGE DAY. - ratified title

   01/24/07  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   01/24/07  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-12
   01/31/07  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-11
   02/01/07  House  Read second time HJ-17
   02/01/07         Scrivener's error corrected
   02/06/07  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-15
   02/07/07  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-26
   02/07/07  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-26
   04/03/07  Senate Polled out of committee General SJ-16
   04/03/07  Senate Committee report: Favorable General SJ-16
   04/04/07         Scrivener's error corrected
   04/04/07  Senate Read second time SJ-11
   04/05/07  Senate Read third time and enrolled SJ-13
   04/12/07         Ratified R 22
   04/18/07         Signed By Governor
   04/26/07         Copies available
   04/26/07         Effective date 04/18/07
   05/07/07         Act No. 11

(A11, R22, H3345)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-618 SO AS TO DESIGNATE AUGUST SIXTEENTH EVERY YEAR AS SOUTH CAROLINA AIRBORNE HERITAGE DAY.

Whereas, the airborne forces of the United States Armed Forces have a long and honorable history as units of adventuresome, hardy, and fierce warriors who, for the national security of the United States and the defense of freedom and peace, carry the effective ground combat power of the United States by Air Force air transport to the far reaches of battle areas around the world; and

Whereas, August sixteenth marks the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon, which officially validated the concept of inserting United States ground combat forces behind battle lines by means of a parachute; and

Whereas, the United States experiment with airborne infantry attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the United States Department of War, and was launched when forty-eight volunteers began training in July of 1940; and

Whereas, the success of the Parachute Test Platoon in the days immediately preceding the entry of the United States into World War II led to the formation of a formidable force of airborne units that, since then, have served with distinction and repeated success in armed hostilities; and

Whereas, the achievements of the airborne forces during World War II provided a basis for evolution into a diversified force of parachute and air-assault units that over the years have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Granada, Panama, the Persian Gulf Region, and Somalia and that have engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo; and

Whereas, the members of the United States combat airborne forces, both past and present, have earned many awards, such as the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the airborne's Silver Wings of Courage, and other awards for displays of heroism and valor; and

Whereas, the United States Senate has recognized the significant contributions of the airborne community and the many sacrifices of the nation's paratroopers and (in former days) glider troops through resolutions proclaiming August sixteenth as National Airborne Day from 1999 through 2006; and

Whereas, the history and achievements of the members and former members of the airborne forces of the United States Armed Forces warrant the warmest gratitude of the American people. Now, therefore,

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

Airborne Heritage Day designated

SECTION    1.    Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-618.    August sixteenth of each year is designated as South Carolina Airborne Heritage Day."

Time effective

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

Ratified the 12th day of April, 2007.

Approved the 18th day of April, 2007.