A senate RESOLUTION

TO recognize and honor Martha Bray Carson, remember her contribution of the Pledge to the South Carolina state flag, and REsolve that the ungloved right hand be placed over the heart while reciting the Pledge.

Whereas, the State of South Carolina did not have a salute to the state flag for more than one hundred seventy-five years until Martha Bray Carson of Chester wrote the pledge for the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1950. Her pledge says, "I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty, and faith"; and

Whereas, a civic leader, Mrs. Carson served the Mary Adair Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter as Regent and the South Carolina Society Daughters of the American Revolution as State Genealogist from 1936-to 1946 and as State Registrar from 1946-1949. She also served the United Daughters of the Confederacy as South Carolina Division President from 1944-1946 and as Registrar General of the entire organization from 1948-1951; and

Whereas, over the years, Mrs. Carson received many recognitions, including being admitted to the National League of Pen Women. She served in all offices with conscientious devotion to duty, efficiency in detail, and untiring interest; and

Whereas, Mrs. Carson passed away on September 16, 1953, and did not see the fruit of her labor before the South Carolina General Assembly adopted her pledge in April 1966; and

Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to recognize this daughter of South Carolina and to recognize that it is appropriate to place an ungloved right hand over the heart while reciting the pledge; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that Martha Bray Carson has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Martha Bray Carson, remember her contribution of the pledge to the South Carolina state flag, and resolve that the ungloved right hand be placed over the heart while reciting the pledge.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Martha Bray Carson's cousin, Julie N. Hardaway.

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