S 0515 Concurrent Resolution, By Jackson, Matthews, Patterson, Anderson, 
Pinckney, Glover, Ford and Passailaigue
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ENDORSE THE CONCEPT AND ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF A
 NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM IN CHARLESTON FOCUSING ON TELLING THE
 DISQUIETING BUT INSTRUCTIVE STORY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE AFRICAN PEOPLE INTO
 AMERICA THROUGH CHARLESTON AND FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM.

   03/28/01  Senate Introduced SJ-10
   03/28/01  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-10
   04/25/01  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary SJ-27
   04/26/01  Senate Adopted, sent to House SJ-97
   05/01/01  House  Introduced HJ-3
   05/01/01  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-4

April 25, 2001

    S. 515

Introduced by Senators Jackson, Matthews, Patterson, Anderson, Pinckney, Glover and Ford

S. Printed 4/25/01--S.

Read the first time March 28, 2001.

    To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 515) to endorse the concept and encourage the creation of a National Black History Museum, etc., respectfully

    That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

DARRELL JACKSON for Committee.

TO ENDORSE THE CONCEPT AND ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM IN CHARLESTON FOCUSING ON TELLING THE DISQUIETING BUT INSTRUCTIVE STORY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE AFRICAN PEOPLE INTO AMERICA THROUGH CHARLESTON AND FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM.

Whereas, almost half of the total number of African slaves coming to America entered this land at the port of Charleston; and

Whereas, countless descendants of slaves, all across these United States, therefore have both historical and personal connections to Charleston and to South Carolina; and

Whereas, Charleston is described by historian Marvin Dulaney of the College of Charleston as "the place where black history starts"; and

Whereas, this place is the obvious and natural location for a museum dedicated to the truth of their story--the story of human beings and the realities of their slave experience; and

Whereas, the telling of that story and the preservation of that history is and should be disquieting, it is also instructive; and

Whereas, the museum relating that story would serve as a major attraction for visitors, seeking to establish and strengthen their pride through demonstrations of the endurance of and adaptation of slaves to their circumstances; and

Whereas, the museum relating that history would serve as a vital center for visitors seeking to examine and broaden their knowledge of the lives and contributions of slaves to this State and this country. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved that the members of the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, do hereby endorse the concept and encourage the creation of a National Black History Museum in Charleston focusing on telling the disquieting but instructive story of the passage of the African people into America through Charleston and from slavery to freedom.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Mayor of Charleston.