S 0947 Joint Resolution, By Jackson and Washington

Similar(S 976, H 4508)
 A Joint Resolution to establish an African American History Monument to be
 erected on the State House Grounds and to create a Commission to select the
 design and placement of the Monument.

   10/23/95  Senate Prefiled
   10/23/95  Senate Referred to Committee on General
   01/09/96  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-70
   01/09/96  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-70
   04/02/96  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     General SJ-19
   04/03/96  Senate Amended SJ-15
   04/03/96  Senate Read second time SJ-15
   04/03/96  Senate Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day SJ-16
   04/04/96  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-25
   04/09/96  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-25
   04/09/96  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works HJ-25

April 3, 1996

S. 947

Introduced by SENATORS Jackson and Washington

S. Printed 4/3/96--S.

Read the first time January 9, 1996.

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO ESTABLISH AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS AND TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO SELECT THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE MONUMENT.

Amend Title To Conform

Whereas, the State of South Carolina has, as a matter of state policy, erected various monuments on the State House grounds to honor the contributions of various individuals and groups to the state's history; and

Whereas, the State has recently reaffirmed this policy by requiring all portraits, flags, banners, monuments, statues, and plaques which are removed during the current State House Renovation Project to be returned to their original locations following completion of the project; and

Whereas, not one of the monuments and memorials recognizes the contributions and efforts of an African-American individual; and

Whereas, some official symbol should be placed that recognizes the special and unique experiences and contributions of African-Americans in this State; and

Whereas, the placement of a permanent monument on the State House grounds is the most visible and efficient means of official recognition. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby established on the grounds of the State House an African-American History Monument. The design and placement of the monument shall be determined by the commission appointed pursuant to Section 2 of this resolution. The commission shall make reasonable efforts to incorporate all eras of African-American history in the design. The monument shall be erected as soon as is reasonably possible after it is approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution and the State House Renovation Project is completed.

SECTION 2. (a) An African-American History Monument Commission is created to determine the design of the monument and to determine the placement of the monument on the State House grounds. The commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds and to receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is created. By January 1, 1997, the commission shall report the proposed design of the monument to the State House Committee for its approval. After action by the committee approving the design, the State House Committee shall cause to be introduced the concurrent resolution serving as the instrument of approval as provided in Section 1 of this joint resolution. The State shall ensure proper maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical monuments on the State House grounds.

Four members must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, four members must be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member must be appointed by the Governor. Notwithstanding Section 8-13-770 of the 1976 Code, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to this commission. One of the members appointed by the President Pro Tempore must be a Senator and one of the members appointed by the Speaker must be a member of the House of Representatives.

Commission members are not entitled to receive the subsistence, mileage, and per diem otherwise provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.

(b) The commission also shall study the feasibility of establishing an African-American History Museum analogous to the Confederate Relic Room and make recommendations with respect to its findings on this subject to the State House Committee. This new museum would collect and display historical artifacts and other items reflecting African-American history in this State. A preliminary report on this study must be made to the State House Committee no later than January 1, 1997, with a final report and recommendations due as soon as practicable thereafter.

(c) The commission established pursuant to this section is dissolved on the later of the dedication of the African-American History Monument or the final report of the commission on the feasibility of establishing an African-American History Museum.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.