S 0132 Concurrent Resolution, By Passailaigue, Elliott, McConnell, Washington and 
Drummond
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME
 THE NEW DANIEL ISLAND INTERCHANGE OFF THE MARK CLARK EXPRESSWAY IN HONOR OF
 MASTER BLACKSMITH PHILIP SIMMONS.

   11/18/98  Senate Prefiled
   11/18/98  Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation
   01/12/99  Senate Introduced SJ-52
   01/12/99  Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation SJ-52
   01/21/99  Senate Committee report: Favorable Transportation SJ-11
   01/21/99  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-11
   01/26/99  House  Introduced HJ-12
   01/26/99  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-12

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE NEW DANIEL ISLAND INTERCHANGE OFF THE MARK CLARK EXPRESSWAY IN HONOR OF MASTER BLACKSMITH PHILIP SIMMONS.

Whereas, Philip Simmons has been recognized in the State and in the nation for his quality ironworks which have adorned the City of Charleston for sixty years; and

Whereas, he was born on Daniel Island, South Carolina in 1912; and

Whereas, he moved to Charleston at age eight to attend Buist Academy; and

Whereas, he began his apprenticeship as an ironworker with Peter Simmons at age twelve; and

Whereas, he moved into the specialized field of ornamental iron in 1938; and

Whereas, he has created by hand more than five hundred wrought iron gates, fences, balconies, and window grills; and

Whereas, in 1982, the National Endowment of the Arts awarded him its National Heritage Fellowship and named him a "master traditional artist"; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly recognized him with a lifetime achievement award; and

Whereas, he was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame on January 31, 1994; and

Whereas, pieces of his work have been acquired by the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Atlanta History Center, and the Richland County Public Library; and

Whereas, his work has been commissioned by the South Carolina State Museum and the City of Charleston for the Visitors' Center; and

Whereas, his church, St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church in Downtown Charleston, dedicated the grounds of the church as "the Philip Simmons Gardens" in tribute to his mastery of wrought iron; and

Whereas, the Philip Simmons Foundation, a historic preservation group, continues to locate and record his work which decorates every part of Charleston; and

Whereas, he has dedicated himself to the community and to God; and

Whereas, he teaches Sunday School and speaks to children in the community; and

Whereas, Philip Simmons is a master of his trade, a gifted and talented artist, and an outstanding member of the community. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly hereby request the Department of Transportation to name the Daniel Island interchange the Philip Simmons Interchange.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.