S*0515 Concurrent Resolution, By Grooms, Branton, Matthews and Ritchie
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE LOURIE THEATER OF ST. GEORGE,
 THEIR DISTINGUISHED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CONTRIBUTORS, SUPPORTERS, PERFORMERS,
 FRIENDS AND PATRONS, FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESOUNDING SUCCESS IN
 RENOVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE LOURIE THEATER, TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR
 TREMENDOUS GIFT OF THEATER, PERFORMING ARTS, AND CULTURAL EVENTS TO THE PEOPLE
 OF ST. GEORGE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND TO WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS IN ALL
 OF THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   03/26/03  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-12
   03/27/03  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-2

TO CONGRATULATE THE LOURIE THEATER OF ST. GEORGE, THEIR DISTINGUISHED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CONTRIBUTORS, SUPPORTERS, PERFORMERS, FRIENDS AND PATRONS, FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESOUNDING SUCCESS IN RENOVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE LOURIE THEATER, TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS GIFT OF THEATER, PERFORMING ARTS, AND CULTURAL EVENTS TO THE PEOPLE OF ST. GEORGE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, AND TO WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS IN ALL OF THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, built at the beginning of the Roaring '20s, when silent film was the bill of fare for moviegoers, the St. George Movie Theater enjoyed a few years of success, passed from hand to hand, and then went into a long decline. By 1988, according to an Orangeburg Times and Democrat news article, it had been boarded up and abandoned for seven years; and

Whereas, the theater was purchased in 1988 by the St. George Development Corporation, with a view toward renovating the theater for stage performances, thereby exposing the people of St. George and the surrounding area with theater and cultural events they would ordinarily not have access to without traveling to Charleston or Columbia; and

Whereas, in the early 1990's, the Lourie Theater Association acquired title to the building. Since that time the old movie theater has gradually been upgraded by the Lourie Theater Corporation with donations, fundraisers, and countless hours of volunteer work; and

Whereas, in 1992, the building next to the theater was purchased, cleaned up, and connected to the theater. The additional space contains a kitchen, bathroom, and reception hall. The Lourie Theater now represents a performing arts center that offers opportunities for residents to perform or attend programs that benefit the entire town; and

Whereas, as it exists today, the Lourie Theater in St. George is a tremendous success and example of the good that results when vision, leadership, and volunteers combine with public and private resources to achieve a common goal for the public good. In this instance, the vision was to revitalize downtown St. George by restoring an empty theater. The State of South Carolina worked with business and local leaders and determined the empty theater could become the main attraction downtown if it could be reopened as a movie house or theater; and

Whereas, over the years community interest, support from numerous volunteers, and contributions from private citizens and public and private arts oriented organizations, coupled with revenues from the state accommodations tax, eventually resulted in the restoration and preservation of what is now the Lourie Theater; and

Whereas, beginning in 1989, and in addition to its role in helping to revitalize downtown St. George, the Lourie Theater has presented many plays, concerts, and other cultural events that have entertained and delighted the residents of St. George and visitors to the area; and

Whereas, the General Assembly is pleased to take this opportunity to recognize the tremendous success of The Lourie Theater in providing the people of St. George and the surrounding area with theater and cultural events they would ordinarily not have access to without traveling to Charleston or Columbia, and point to it with pride as an example of what can be achieved at the state and local level when business, government, and good people combine their time, talent, and resources for a common cause. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate the Lourie Theater of St. George, their distinguished board of directors, contributors, supporters, performers, friends and patrons, for their many contributions and resounding success in renovation and preservation of the Lourie Theater, commend them for their tremendous gift of theater, performing arts, and cultural events to the people of St. George and the surrounding area, and wish them every success in all of their future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Lourie Theater of St. George.