S*0319 Concurrent Resolution, By McConnell
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE WASHINGTON LIGHT
 INFANTRY OF CHARLESTON ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS BICENTENNIAL AND FOR TWO
 CENTURIES OF EXEMPLARY MILITARY AND CIVIC SERVICE TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE
 NATION, AND TO WISH FOR IT CONTINUED SUCCESS IN PROMOTING THE IDEALS OF
 PATRIOTISM, EDUCATION, AND BENEVOLENCE AMONG OUR CITIZENS THROUGH GOOD EXAMPLE
 AND CHARITABLE WORKS.

   01/24/07  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-4
   01/25/07  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-5

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY OF CHARLESTON ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS BICENTENNIAL AND FOR TWO CENTURIES OF EXEMPLARY MILITARY AND CIVIC SERVICE TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE NATION, AND TO WISH FOR IT CONTINUED SUCCESS IN PROMOTING THE IDEALS OF PATRIOTISM, EDUCATION, AND BENEVOLENCE AMONG OUR CITIZENS THROUGH GOOD EXAMPLE AND CHARITABLE WORKS.

Whereas, the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston was organized in 1807 as one of numerous volunteer corps created by the citizens of South Carolina in anticipation of a second war with Great Britain, which ultimately occurred in 1812; and

Whereas, of these several South Carolina militia units, only the Washington Light Infantry survives and continues as one of the nation's oldest militia units; and

Whereas, since 1807, the members of the Washington Light Infantry, both corporately and individually, have demonstrated honor and bravery in every major war the United States has fought; and

Whereas, the Washington Light Infantry holds among its treasured artifacts the famous Eutaw Flag, borne by Colonel William Washington, a cousin of General George Washington, during the Battle at Cowpens, Second Battle of Camden (Hobkirk's Hill), and Eutaw Springs in South Carolina during the American Revolution; and

Whereas, among many distinguished accomplishments, the Washington Light Infantry served as a special guard of honor to escort the Marquis de Lafayette into Charleston in 1824, rescued the city of Saint Augustine from the Seminole Indians in 1836, and performed many acts of heroism in the Mexican War in 1847 as a component of the famous "Palmetto Regiment"; and

Whereas, through its influence in 1842, it helped to establish the South Carolina Military Academy, presently The Citadel, and in 1843 conveyed the guard of the Charleston Arsenal at Marion Square to the new Cadet Corps; and

Whereas, obeying the authority of the State of South Carolina, when the War Between the States developed in 1861, the Washington Light Infantry formed three companies active until 1865 with four hundred fourteen men enrolled, counting ultimate casualties of one hundred fourteen killed and many other maimed and scarred for life, with official reports revealing frequent citations of acts of individual heroism and deeds of sublime courage on the part of the Washington Light Infantry officers and men; and

Whereas, in 1866, the Washington Light Infantry formed the Washington Light Infantry Charitable Association, the first organization in the South created to assist the families of those who had fallen or were disabled by the War Between the States, the charitable association's continuing today as the Washington Light Infantry Charity Fund; and

Whereas, in 1916, the Washington Light Infantry, as Company "B", 2nd South Carolina Infantry, answered the call of President Wilson for patrol duty on the Texas Mexican border, and in 1917, the active company served in Europe in the 30th Division. Following the war, the National Guard (formerly the State Militia), was federally reorganized and the active company mustered into service in June 1919, as Company "B", 118th Infantry, South Carolina National Guard, a part of the National Defense set up at the call of the President; and

Whereas, Company "B" was called out several times on tours of duty for crises in the states, and in 1940 at the call of the President, the National Guard including components of the Washington Light Infantry was called to active service for full-time training and shipment to Europe as a unit with service in Iceland and other locations; and

Whereas, the Washington Light Infantry is a charter member of the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands, formed during the National Bicentennial, to commemorate the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, and to help heal the wounds of the recently concluded War Between the States, and has participated proudly with sister legion units in numerous celebrations and ceremonial parades across the original thirteen states since that time; and

Whereas, the Corps is named in honor of President George Washington and annually celebrates his February twenty-second birthday with an anniversary military banquet and remembers its past members in a memorial service; and

Whereas, the year 2007 marks the two hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Washington Light Infantry, and its members will broaden its annual military banquet and memorial service into a Grand Bicentennial Celebration, including a prayer service, a Charleston Mayor's reception, a grand ball, a military parade, an Air National Guard flyover, and a Marion Square picnic; and

Whereas, the Washington Light Infantry has served its State and nation with distinction for two centuries, continues to maintain strong relations with The Citadel, the City of Charleston, the South Carolina Adjutant General, the South Carolina National Guard, and State Guard, and the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands, and has earned the respect of every South Carolinian for its contributions in shaping the history of South Carolina and the United States. Now, therefore,

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

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognizes and congratulates the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston on the celebration of its bicentennial and for two centuries of exemplary military and civic service to South Carolina and the nation, and wishes for it continued success in promoting the ideals of patriotism, education, and benevolence among our citizens through good example and charitable works.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Washington Light Infantry of Charleston.