S*1264 Concurrent Resolution, By Jackson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN
 COLUMBIA FOR BEING ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
 TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND FOR DEVELOPING THE YOUNG
 MINDS OF PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS.

   05/25/04  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-7
   05/26/04  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-3

TO RECOGNIZE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA FOR BEING ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND FOR DEVELOPING THE YOUNG MINDS OF PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS.

Whereas, the General Assembly takes great pride in the educational accomplishments of St. Martin de Porres Catholic School in Columbia which is one of the most outstanding schools in our State; and

Whereas, St. Martin de Porres' beginning was a courageous act of faith by a small group of people. Officials of the Catholic church were approached by the few black Catholics who attended Mass at St. Peter's Church to allow the black people of Columbia to have a church where they could worship without the pain of segregation, a place where they would be treated with respect and dignity; and

Whereas, the bishop contacted the Dominican Fathers in New York to see if they had a priest to begin a parish for these Catholics. This priest arrived on September 20, 1935. He then asked for sisters to staff a school, and three sisters were then sent to St. Martin de Porres; and

Whereas, on September 14, 1936, the school was started with grades one through six. There were one hundred three students of which nine were Catholic. From the beginning there was very little money; almost everything had to be donated; and

Whereas, during its history, St. Martin's became a place where the African-American community could learn and worship in an environment of dignity and respect. Most of the initial students at St. Martin's were not Roman Catholic, but after the experience with the community, a good many became confirmed in the faith, sometimes whole families at a time; and

Whereas, today, most of the students at St. Martin de Porres are still nonCatholic African-Americans whose families are choosing this unique and predominantly black Catholic institution. Eighty-eight percent of our graduates have completed some years of post secondary education in colleges or vocational technical schools; and

Whereas, parents know the necessity of a multi-cultural curriculum, strong in quality and ethical values, for an African-American child to be a success in today's society, and St. Martin de Porres provides such a curriculum; and

Whereas, on June 12, 2004, St. Martin de Porres Catholic school will celebrate "A Salute to Catholic Education, the Key to the 21st Century" at its Black Catholic Heritage Celebration 2004; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, would like to recognize and honor this wonderful and unique educational institution on the occasion of its "Salute to Catholic Education" at its Black Catholic Heritage Celebration 2004. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly recognize St. Martin de Porres Catholic School in Columbia for being one of the most outstanding schools in South Carolina and commend them for their excellence in education and for developing the young minds of predominantly African-American students.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Sandra Leatherwood, Principal of St. Martin de Porres Catholic School.