H*3170 Concurrent Resolution, By Cobb-Hunter and J.H. Neal
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
 NAME THE LAKE MARION BOAT CHANNEL, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "SAFE CHANNEL",
 RUNNING EASTERLY FROM THE VICINITY OF THE BRICKYARD, THEN NORTHERLY ACROSS
 LAKE MARION TO THE VICINITY OF ABUND ISLAND IN OR NEAR THE SANTEE NATIONAL
 WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND THEN NORTHEASTERLY TO THE VICINITY OF THE MOUTH OF WYBOO
 CREEK, AS THE "DANNY BELL BOAT CHANNEL" IN HONOR OF THE LATE DANNY BELL OF
 EUTAW SPRINGS, AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE SIGNS, MARKERS, OR BUOYS.

   12/04/02  House  Prefiled
   12/04/02  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions
   01/14/03  House  Introduced HJ-120
   01/14/03  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-120
   03/05/03  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-67
   03/06/03  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-25
   03/06/03         Scrivener's error corrected
   03/11/03  Senate Introduced SJ-8
   03/11/03  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-8
   04/02/03  Senate Committee report: Favorable Fish, Game and
                     Forestry SJ-23
   04/08/03  Senate Committed to Committee on Transportation SJ-44
   03/24/04  Senate Recalled from Committee on Transportation SJ-8
   03/24/04  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-8

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 2, 2003

H. 3170

S. Printed 4/2/03--S.

Read the first time March 11, 2003.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3170) to request that the Department of Natural Resources name the Lake Marion boat channel, commonly known as the "Safe Channel", running easterly from the vicinity of the Brickyard, etc., respectfully

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

GREG GREGORY for Committee.

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES NAME THE LAKE MARION BOAT CHANNEL, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "SAFE CHANNEL", RUNNING EASTERLY FROM THE VICINITY OF THE BRICKYARD, THEN NORTHERLY ACROSS LAKE MARION TO THE VICINITY OF ABUND ISLAND IN OR NEAR THE SANTEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, AND THEN NORTHEASTERLY TO THE VICINITY OF THE MOUTH OF WYBOO CREEK, AS THE "DANNY BELL BOAT CHANNEL" IN HONOR OF THE LATE DANNY BELL OF EUTAW SPRINGS, AND INSTALL APPROPRIATE SIGNS, MARKERS, OR BUOYS.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are proud to recognize and commemorate the life of such a worthy citizen, businessman, and sportsman as the late Danny Bell of Eutaw Springs for his outstanding accomplishments; and

Whereas, Danny Bell purchased Bell's Winter Park in 1963 on Lake Marion's Eutaw Creek Cove, and, through hard work and a prime location, Mr. Bell and his wife, Maureen, turned Bell's Winter Park into one of the premier fishing camps on the lake; and

Whereas, when Bell's Winter Park Tackle Shop burned to the ground in an unfortunate accident, Mr. and Mrs. Bell rebuilt with a much larger complex called Bell's Marina that included a tackle and sundry store, outboard dealership with a showroom and repair shop, waterfront clubhouse, piers and launching ramps, restaurant, motel, and expanded campsites; and

Whereas, Danny Bell attended dozens of travel and outdoor shows throughout the Midwestern and Northeastern United States promoting Bell's Marina and the Santee Cooper Lakes. He was able to attract visitors by displaying a huge aerated tank loaded with trophy largemouth bass at the shows; and

Whereas, Mr. Bell drew a variety of sportsmen and celebrity guests to the area including Johnny Cash, Roscoe P. Coltrain, and Dale Earnhardt, and he was involved in a number of outdoor theme movies with nationally known fishermen and sportsmen such as Roland Martin, Billy Westmoreland, and Frank White of Southern Sportsmen; and

Whereas, Mr. Bell's involvement in his community extended beyond his marina; he was involved in several organizations including the Swamp Fox Boat Club and the Santee Cooper Counties Promotion Commission; and

Whereas, Danny Bell sold Bell's Marina in 1991 and opened Chef's Choice Steakhouse just a few hundred yards from the fishing camp. Mrs. Bell, with the help of her older daughter Daureen, plans to continue the family steakhouse; and

Whereas, it is with great honor and admiration that the members of the General Assembly request that the Department of Natural Resources name the Lake Marion boat channel, commonly known as the "Safe Channel", in honor of the late Danny Bell. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly request that the Department of Natural Resources name the Lake Marion boat channel, commonly known as the "Safe Channel", running easterly from the vicinity of the Brickyard, then northerly across Lake Marion to the vicinity of Abund Island in or near the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, and then northeasterly to the vicinity of the mouth of Wyboo Creek, as the "Danny Bell Boat Channel" in honor of the late Danny Bell of Eutaw Springs, and install appropriate signs, markers, or buoys.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.