S 488 Session 111 (1995-1996)
S 0488 Joint Resolution, By Ford
Similar(S 462)
A Joint Resolution to create a Commission to design and establish an
appropriate monument on the State House Grounds to commemorate the efforts to
achieve equality of persons of African descent; to recognize the 1st South
Carolina Volunteers (African Descent) and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry
Regiment, which were fighting regiments during the War Between the States, and
to recognize the many who preceded and succeeded the fighting men who
symbolize such honor and valor.
02/09/95 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6
02/09/95 Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-6
A JOINT RESOLUTION
TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO DESIGN AND ESTABLISH
AN APPROPRIATE MONUMENT ON THE STATE HOUSE
GROUNDS TO COMMEMORATE THE EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE
EQUALITY OF PERSONS OF AFRICAN DESCENT;TO
RECOGNIZE THE 1ST SOUTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS
(AFRICAN DESCENT) AND THE 54TH MASSACHUSETTS
INFANTRY REGIMENT, WHICH WERE FIGHTING
REGIMENTS DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES,
AND TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY WHO PRECEDED AND
SUCCEEDED THE FIGHTING MEN WHO SYMBOLIZE SUCH
HONOR AND VALOR.
Whereas, the grounds of the State House in South Carolina are
adorned with various monuments and markers commemorating the
contributions of South Carolinians of distinction and happenings of
import; and
Whereas, many of these symbols were erected during an era in the
state's annals when the efforts and contributions of all its citizens,
by policy and custom, were not necessarily held in equal regard,
with the attendant result being that not one of these symbols
commemorates or honors those persons who, by policy and custom,
were not held in equal regard; and
Whereas, as a circumstance of the relative inequality of the citizens
who were not held in equal regard, it was necessary and proper that
an effort be commenced to elevate all persons of this state to a level
of equality, irrespective of past policy and custom; and
Whereas, such an effort in fact was commenced, in this state as in
its sister states, which effort endured for more than a century, with
the ultimate result being the elevation to relative equality of all
citizens of this state, although not necessarily ideal equality; and
Whereas, the effort to attain equality for all persons of this state
originated in the prior century and is illustrated by the efforts of the
1st South Carolina Volunteers (African Descent) and the 54th
Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, two regiments of fighting men
during the War Between the States; and
Whereas, the first recorded attempt to organize slaves into a
military unit on the Union side predated the Emancipation
Proclamation when, in May 1862, Major General David Hunter
raised the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment (African
Descent); and
Whereas, the regiment was officially mustered into U.S. Army
service on January 31, 1863, and was mustered out on January 31,
1866; and
Whereas, on February 4, 1864, the regiment was redesignated as the
33rd United States Colored Troops; and
Whereas, the regiment has been recorded as participating in four
battles and skirmishes during the War, at Hall Island on November
24, 1863; at James Island on July 1 and 2, 1864; at Milltown Bluff
on July 10, 1863; and Township, Florida on January 26, 1863; and
Whereas, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was the first
colored regiment recruited in the North, after Governor John Albion
Andrew received permission from the Secretary of War to raise a
regiment of free negroes; and
Whereas, the 54th participated in battles at James Island, Fort
Wagner, Honey Hill, and Boykins Mill in South Carolina; and
Whereas, Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th became the first
negro soldier to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his
participation in the battle at Fort Wagner, and is noted for not
allowing the regiment flag to touch the ground; and
Whereas, it is fitting that the State of South Carolina honor the
memory of these gallant fighting men, which memory has not
heretofore been officially recognized; and
Whereas, it is also fitting that the state recognize the memories,
efforts, and contributions of those other than, who symbolized the
same honor and valor of the fighting men, including those who
preceded and those who succeeded the fighting men; and
Whereas, the annals of the state's history are replete with instances
of honor and valor demonstrated in the spirit of attaining equality
of all of the state's citizens, although such instances are numerous
and would require more words than can be compressed into a single
resolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
SECTION 1. A commission is hereby created to design and
establish an appropriate monument to be placed on the grounds of
the Capitol Complex to commemorate the efforts to achieve
equality of persons of African Descent. The monument shall
include recognition of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers (African
Descent) and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and
recognition of the many who both preceded and succeeded the
fighting men who symbolize the honor and valor of the fighting
men in endeavoring to attain equality of all citizens. The
commission is empowered and directed to raise private funds, to
receive gifts and grants to carry out the purpose for which it is
created, and to designate the location of the monument. By January
1, 1996, the commission shall report the proposed design and
location of the monument to the General Assembly for approval.
Upon the dedication of this monument, the commission shall
dissolve. Upon dissolution, the State shall ensure proper
maintenance of the monument as is done for other historical
monuments on the grounds of the Capitol Complex.
Three members must be appointed by the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate and three members must be appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding Section
8-13-770, members of the General Assembly may be appointed to
this commission. The President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives shall appoint a seventh member as
chairman who shall vote only in cases of a tie.
Members of the commission may receive per diem and
subsistence from the respective approved accounts of each body
while attending meetings of the commission. All other expenses
relating to the establishment and placement of the monument shall
be paid for from funds derived as provided in the first paragraph of
this section.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the
Governor. -----XX----- |