H 4400 General Bill, By Jefferson and Clyburn
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 10-1-177 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO ERECT A
 MEMORIAL ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS TO HONOR REVEREND JOSEPH ARMSTRONG DE
 LAINE.

   11/09/17  House  Prefiled
   11/09/17  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/09/18  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 97)
   01/09/18  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (House Journal-page 97)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 10-1-177 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO ERECT A MEMORIAL ON THE STATE HOUSE GROUNDS TO HONOR REVEREND JOSEPH ARMSTRONG DE LAINE.

Whereas, African American families that resided in this State in the 1940s and 1950s were subjected to the harsh conditions imposed upon them by a segregated society; and

Whereas, Reverend Joseph Armstrong De Laine led a group of courageous Clarendon County community leaders, parents, children, and families to dedicate themselves toward building better lives for themselves as well as future generations by being part of the first legal challenges that attacked racial segregation in the public schools in our State and nation; and

Whereas, Reverend De Laine organized protests of the disgraceful condition of the county's black schools and the many miles black children had to walk to school; and

Whereas, Reverend De Laine was the driving force behind Briggs v. Elliott, which was the first of five cases consolidated into Brown v. Board of Education which struck down the doctrine of "separate but equal" in public education and paved the way for the integration of public schools throughout this nation; and

Whereas, a man of remarkable courage and integrity, Reverend De Laine remained steadfast in his efforts despite harassment, retaliation, and threats on his life; and

Whereas, in recognition of his relentless work, the United States Congress posthumously awarded Reverend De Laine the Congressional Gold Medal; and

Whereas, Reverend De Laine's pioneering and altruistic efforts have impacted so many South Carolinians and bettered this State, and deserves to be honored in a manner befitting of his contributions. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    Chapter 1, Title 10 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 10-1-177.    (A)    The Department of Administration is authorized to erect a memorial on the State House grounds at an appropriate location it determines to honor Reverend Joseph Armstrong De Laine for his many contributions in the civil rights movement, and specifically his efforts in ending racial segregation in public schools.

(B)    In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the Department of Administration is authorized to accept gifts or grants of services, properties, or monies from organizations and private persons."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.