H 4402 Concurrent Resolution, By J. Smith and Lourie
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL MAKE AN
 APPROPRIATION OF NOT LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR FOR EACH SOUTH CAROLINIAN WHO SERVED
 IN THE ARMED FORCES AND MERCHANT MARINE OF THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR
 II IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH A WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.

   01/11/00  House  Introduced HJ-455
   01/11/00  House  Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-455

TO EXPRESS THE SENSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THAT THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA SHALL MAKE AN APPROPRIATION OF NOT LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR FOR EACH SOUTH CAROLINIAN WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES AND MERCHANT MARINE OF THE UNITED STATES DURING WORLD WAR II IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH A WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.

Whereas, the World War II Memorial will be the first national memorial dedicated to all who served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Marine of the United States during World War II and acknowledging the commitment and achievement of the entire nation. All military veterans of the war, the citizens on the "home front", the nation at large, and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms will be honored; and

Whereas, symbolic of the defining event of the twentieth century in American history, the memorial will be a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people, to the common defense of the nation, and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. Above all, the memorial will stand for all time as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just cause; and

Whereas, in 1993, Congress passed legislation authorizing the building of a national World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. or its immediate environs. The authorizing legislation was signed into law by President Clinton on May 25, 1993. The responsibility for designing and constructing the memorial was given to the American Battle Monuments Commission, an independent federal agency created by law in 1923; and

Whereas, the memorial will be located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on a seven and four-tenths acre rectangular site at the Rainbow Pool site at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. This prominent location is commensurate with the historical importance and lasting significance of World War II to America and the world. In the immediate vicinity are the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the District of Columbia World War I Memorial, and Constitution Gardens; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds and declares that the people of the State of South Carolina recognize the contributions of the approximately two hundred thousand veterans from this State and veterans from all states who served their country during World War II. The General Assembly is pleased to contribute to the funding for the memorial. The General Assembly also encourages public sector and private sector donations to the American Battle Monuments Commission for the memorial; and

Whereas, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, representing one dollar for each of the two hundred thousand South Carolina World War II veterans, is the least sum the General Assembly should appropriate for the World War II Memorial during the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2000 to the World War II memorial fund of the American Battle Monument Commission, for the purpose of making a contribution from the State of South Carolina for the construction of the World War II Memorial. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly hereby express that the State of South Carolina shall make an appropriation of not less than one dollar for each South Carolinian who served in the armed forces and merchant marine of the United States during World War II in support of the nationwide campaign to establish a World War II Memorial.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C.