H 4531 Joint Resolution, By J. Brown, Breeland, Cobb-Hunter, Weeks, Govan, 
Allen, G. Brown, R. Brown, Clyburn, Gourdine, J. Hines, Hosey, Kennedy, Lee, 
Lloyd, Mack, Moody-Lawrence, Parks, Rutherford, Scott, F.N. Smith and Sheheen

Similar(S 816)
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO
 MODIFY THE MONUMENT ERECTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX IN
 RECOGNITION OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LATE STROM THURMOND, UNITED STATES
 SENATOR FROM THE PALMETTO STATE, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF ESSIE MAE
 WASHINGTON-WILLIAMS AMONG THE ENGRAVED NAMES OF HIS CHILDREN.

   01/14/04  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-7
   01/14/04  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-7

TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO MODIFY THE MONUMENT ERECTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX IN RECOGNITION OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LATE STROM THURMOND, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM THE PALMETTO STATE, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF ESSIE MAE WASHINGTON-WILLIAMS AMONG THE ENGRAVED NAMES OF HIS CHILDREN.

Whereas, the late Strom Thurmond, the longest serving United States Senator and the only Senator in history to be elected as a write-in candidate, is a favorite son of the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, the citizens of South Carolina have been active participants in his legendary and historical achievements and accomplishments for several successive generations; and

Whereas, even in his death, the State of South Carolina continues to be caught up in his memorable life as Essie Mae Washington-Williams, his acknowledged biracial daughter, claims her rightful heritage with grace and dignity; and

Whereas, her proclamation serves to acknowledge for her four children the meaning and place of their lives in history; and

Whereas, her very human story also serves to grant the citizens of the Palmetto State the opportunity to share in the humanity, as well as the history, of one of their most cherished characters. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    The South Carolina State House Committee, charged with the responsibility of reviewing and approving all alterations or renovations of the State House or its grounds, pursuant to Section 10-1-40, and as successor in interest to the Strom Thurmond Monument Commission for purposes of proper maintenance of the historical monument, pursuant to Act 159 of 1997, is hereby directed to modify the monument erected on the grounds of the Capitol Complex in recognition of the accomplishments of the late Strom Thurmond, United States Senator from the Palmetto State, so as to include the name of Essie Mae Washington-Williams among the engraved names of his children.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor and must be implemented before July 1, 2004.