H*4770 Concurrent Resolution, By Miller and Anderson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PORT OF GEORGETOWN
 AND SUPPORT FUTURE EFFORTS BY GEORGETOWN COUNTY AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
 PORTS AUTHORITY TO GROW CARGO VOLUMES FOR THE ECONOMIC BETTERMENT OF THE
 COMMUNITY AND STATE.

   02/27/08  House  Introduced HJ-47
   02/27/08  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-47
   02/28/08  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-3
   03/04/08  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-72
   03/05/08  Senate Introduced SJ-9
   03/05/08  Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation SJ-9
   03/06/08  Senate Recalled from Committee on Transportation SJ-2
   03/11/08  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-12

RECALLED

March 6, 2008

H. 4770

S. Printed 3/6/08--S.

Read the first time March 5, 2008.

TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PORT OF GEORGETOWN AND SUPPORT FUTURE EFFORTS BY GEORGETOWN COUNTY AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PORTS AUTHORITY TO GROW CARGO VOLUMES FOR THE ECONOMIC BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND STATE.

Whereas, South Carolina's rich maritime heritage dates to Spanish explorers who established a settlement in Georgetown in 1526; and

Whereas, over the centuries, the Port of Georgetown has enjoyed many periods of prosperity and endured times of hardship; and

Whereas, in the twentieth century, Georgetown found its niche in the state's port system as a specialty port serving specific local industries, and these industries in turn have dominated the port's development, progress, and business; and

Whereas, the port and trade remain vital components of the local Georgetown economy; and

Whereas, even today, the overwhelming majority of the Port of Georgetown's business is related to major employers and local industries that rely on access to foreign suppliers and customers; and

Whereas, the Port of Georgetown was hit hard by the changes at the steel mill, driving cargo volume and ship traffic down; and

Whereas, port cargo volume and ship traffic are absolutely essential to justifying maintenance dredging in the shipping channel; and

Whereas, to engage the port more closely with industry in the area, local and state economic development officials are encouraged to work with the South Carolina State Ports Authority when attracting new and expanding industries; and

Whereas, the South Carolina State Ports Authority remains committed to Georgetown and is pursuing new business and economic opportunities for the port and the community. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize the importance of the Port of Georgetown and support future efforts by Georgetown County and the South Carolina State Ports Authority to grow cargo volumes for the economic betterment of the community and State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the governing body of Georgetown County and the South Carolina State Ports Authority.