H*4839 Concurrent Resolution, By Kelley, T. Brown, Keegan, L.M. Martin, 
P.H. Thomas, Witherspoon and H.G. Worley
 A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the U.S.S. Lowndes 1996 Reunion in South
 Carolina in memory of the distinguished South Carolinian for whom this World
 War II Navy Ship was named.

   03/27/96  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-48
   03/28/96  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-6

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING THE U.S.S. LOWNDES 1996 REUNION IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN MEMORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED SOUTH CAROLINIAN FOR WHOM THIS WORLD WAR II NAVY SHIP WAS NAMED.

Whereas, the U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154, a Navy Assault Personnel Attack Ship of World War II, is named for William Lowndes, a South Carolina statesman with outstanding achievements in the South Carolina General Assembly and the United States Congress during the early l9th Century; and

Whereas, crew members of the U.S.S. Lowndes will recognize this distinguished South Carolinian and his State by holding their 1996 Reunion at Myrtle Beach; and

Whereas, during his relatively short life from 1782-1822, William Lowndes compiled an incredible record of accomplishments as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the United States House of Representatives; and

Whereas, in Congress he was a strong advocate of increasing the nation's military and naval strength and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Navy Affairs as well as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and in other key leadership positions; and

Whereas, he was nominated for President of the United States by the South Carolina Legislature (but declined to accept) and prominent statesman Henry Clay described Lowndes as the "wisest man I ever knew"; and

Whereas, the States of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi all recognized the outstanding achievements of this distinguished South Carolinian and named counties for him in each of their respective states; and

Whereas, the United States Navy made a decision to place the name of this great South Carolinian on one of its World War II ships; and

Whereas, after being launched in July 1944, the U.S.S. Lowndes engaged in World War II operations involving the transport of troops in the Pacific area and participation in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, including landing operations by the ship's beach battalion during the assault on Iwo Jima; and

Whereas, the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion Group has chosen to recognize this great South Carolinian by coming to his home state for the Reunion at Myrtle Beach on October 17-20, 1996. Now, therefore,

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

That William Lowndes be memorialized in recognition of his outstanding leadership and service to South Carolina and the United States, including his accomplishments that resulted in the decision to name the U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154 in his memory.

Be it further resolved that the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion be extended a cordial welcome to South Carolina for the 1996 Reunion at Myrtle Beach and that our commendation and appreciation be extended to all members of the U.S.S. Lowndes for their exemplary service to our nation in World War II.