S 1196 {Rat #138, Act #131 of 2012} General Bill, By Jackson, Ford, Courson, Hutto, 
Williams, Sheheen, Massey, Lourie, McGill, Scott, Nicholson, Matthews, Anderson, 
Gregory, Coleman, Setzler, Rankin and Malloy
 AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 1-1-616 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR IS
 DESIGNATED AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA. - ratified title

   02/08/12  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 7)
   02/08/12  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 7)
   02/10/12  Senate Referred to Subcommittee:  Cleary (ch), Ford,
                     S.Martin, Gregory
   02/22/12  Senate Committee report: Favorable Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 15)
   02/23/12  Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 41)
   02/23/12  Senate Roll call Ayes-31  Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 41)
   02/23/12         Scrivener's error corrected
   02/28/12  Senate Read third time and sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 23)
   02/29/12  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 11)
   02/29/12  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions (House Journal-page 11)
   03/01/12  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 2)
   03/06/12  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 16)
   03/06/12  House  Roll call Yeas-91  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 16)
   03/07/12  House  Read third time and enrolled (House Journal-page 12)
   03/07/12         Ratified R  138
   03/13/12         Signed By Governor
   03/16/12         Effective date  03/13/12
   03/16/12         Act No.  131

(A131, R138, S1196)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-616 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR IS DESIGNATED AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Findings

SECTION    1.    The General Assembly finds that:

(1)    Black History Month, now to be designated as African American History Month in South Carolina, began as "Negro History Week", which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln;

(2)    African Americans of all generations have contributed greatly to the growth, development, culture, and institutions of the United States; and

(3)    to declare the month of February of each year as African American History Month in our State to honor the significant contributions to our country of these outstanding individuals.

African American History Month designated

SECTION    2.    Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-616. The month of February of every year is also designated African American History Month in South Carolina to be observed concurrently with American History Month as provided in Section 1-1-615, but with emphasis on the contributions of African Americans to the growth, development, culture, and institutions of our country. South Carolinians are encouraged to sponsor and participate in appropriate observances of African American History Month."

Time effective

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 7th day of March, 2012.

Approved the 13th day of March, 2012.