H*3487(Rat #0052, Act #0031 of 1995)  General Bill, By H.G. Hutson, Allison, 
Askins, Bailey, J.M. Baxley, G. Brown, H. Brown, J. Brown, A.W. Byrd, B.D. Cain, 
Carnell, Cave, Cobb-Hunter, J.L.M. Cromer, Dantzler, Davenport, R.C. Fulmer, 
J.L. Harris, P.B. Harris, Harrison, B.H. Harwell, Haskins, R.J. Herdklotz, 
J. Hines, J.H. Hodges, Howard, T.E. Huff, Inabinett, Jennings, Keegan, Kelley, 
Kennedy, W.D. Keyserling, M.H. Kinon, Klauber, Knotts, Koon, Lanford, Law, 
L.H. Limbaugh, Limehouse, Lloyd, J.G. McAbee, J.T. McElveen, McMahand, Meacham, 
Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, Neilson, Phillips, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, 
Riser, Robinson, Seithel, Sharpe, J.S. Shissias, Simrill, D. Smith, R. Smith, 
Spearman, Stille, Stuart, Townsend, Trotter, J.W. Tucker, Vaughn, Walker, 
C.C. Wells, Whatley, Whipper, L.S. Whipper, J.M. White, Wilder, Wilkes, 
D. Williams, Witherspoon, S.S. Wofford, H.G. Worley, D.A. Wright and W.J. Young
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 1-1-692 so as to designate South Carolina grown tea as the official
 hospitality beverage of the State.

   02/02/95  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-12
   02/02/95  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-12
   02/02/95  House  Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-41
   02/07/95  House  Read second time HJ-17
   02/08/95  House  Read third time and sent to Senate HJ-17
   02/09/95  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-10
   02/09/95  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-10
   03/29/95  Senate Committee report: Favorable General SJ-13
   03/30/95  Senate Read second time SJ-168
   03/30/95  Senate Ordered to third reading with notice of
                     amendments SJ-168
   04/04/95  Senate Read third time and enrolled SJ-13
   04/05/95         Ratified R 52
   04/10/95         Signed By Governor
   04/10/95         Effective date 04/10/95
   04/24/95         Copies available
   04/24/95         Act No. 31

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-692 SO AS TO DESIGNATE SOUTH CAROLINA GROWN TEA AS THE OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY BEVERAGE OF THE STATE.

Whereas, a member of the Camellia family, Camellia sinensis, most commonly known as tea, is the world's most popular beverage excepting water; and

Whereas, South Carolina is the first place in the United States where tea was grown having been planted in the South Carolina Lowcountry outside of Charleston in 1799 at what is now Middleton Place; and

Whereas, South Carolina contains a unique combination of factors that makes tea production possible; and

Whereas, quality tea was produced successfully by Dr. Charles Shepard at Pinehurst Tea Plantation near Summerville circa 1888 and continued for over twenty-five years; and

Whereas, subsequent to its introduction in America, commercial tea production also was attempted in South Carolina in Greenville, in Georgetown, and in Ravenel; and

Whereas, most recently tea is being produced in the tradition of Dr. Shepard on Wadmalaw Island from plants descended from the tea planted near Summerville over one hundred years ago; and

Whereas, with improved plant horticulture and the invention of unique machinery to harvest the delicate leaves, Mack Fleming and William B. Hall of American Classic Tea are growing, harvesting, drying, grading, and packaging this beverage again on Wadmalaw Island; and

Whereas, it is recognized that tea is unique to South Carolina in that South Carolina is the only state to have ever produced tea commercially, and with the revitalizing of an industry that flourished at the turn of the century, it is appropriate that this beverage be so recognized as the official hospitality beverage of the State. Now, therefore,

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

Tea designated state hospitality beverage

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-692. South Carolina grown tea is designated as the official hospitality beverage of the State."

Time effective

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

Approved the 10th day of April, 1995.