Current Status Bill Number:487 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19970305 Primary Sponsor:Leatherman All Sponsors:Leatherman and Giese Drafted Document Number:jic\5776htc.97 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:General Committee 08 SG Subject:General Francis Marion Gravesite Committee, relocate remains of; Resolutions, Berkeley County, Cemeteries
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19970318 Committed to Committee 08 SG
Senate 19970305 Introduced, read first time,
placed on Calendar without reference
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
INTRODUCED
March 5, 1997
S. 487
S. Printed 3/5/97--S.
Read the first time March 5, 1997.
ESTABLISHING THE GENERAL FRANCIS MARION GRAVESITE COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS AND FEASIBILITY OF MOVING THE REMAINS OF GENERAL FRANCIS MARION, "SWAMPFOX OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION", AND HIS WIFE, MARY ESTHER VIDEAU MARION, FROM THE CURRENT BURIAL SITE NEAR BELLE ISLE PLANTATION IN BERKELEY COUNTY TO A SUITABLE SITE ON THE GROUNDS OF FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT THE MOVE IF DETERMINED FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE.
Whereas, General Francis Marion and his wife, Mary Esther Videau Marion, lie buried near Belle Isle Plantation in Berkeley County; and
Whereas, General Marion, "Swampfox of the American Revolution", served as a member of the House for the First Provincial Congress in 1775 and of the State Senate in the Fourth, Fifth, Six, Ninth, and Tenth General Assemblies; and
Whereas, General Francis Marion ranks high in the pantheon of heroes of the Revolution; and
Whereas, removal of his remains and those of his wife to a place of honor on the campus of Francis Marion University, his namesake, would do honor to the memory of so distinguished a son and daughter of the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. There is established the General Francis Marion Gravesite Committee consisting of twelve members as follows:
(1) The Governor, or his designee, ex officio;
(2) A member of the South Carolina Senate, ex officio, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(3) A member of the House of Representatives, ex officio, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(4) The Adjutant General, or his designee, ex officio;
(5) The Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or the director's designee, ex officio;
(6) The Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, or his designee, ex officio;
(7) The President of Francis Marion University, or his designee, ex officio;
(8) Two members representing the collateral heirs of General and Mrs. Marion, appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Director of the Department of Archives and History; and
(9) Three members at large, appointed by the Governor, who have demonstrated in their careers interest in and knowledge of the history of this State during the American Revolution.
The members of the committee shall serve without compensation and are ineligible for mileage, subsistence, and per diem as provided by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions. Vacancies must be filled in the manner of original appointment.
The committee shall meet and organize as necessary and shall proceed to consider the appropriateness and feasibility of removing the remains of General Francis Marion and his wife, Mary Esther Videau Marion, from their current place of interment to a suitable location on the grounds of Francis Marion University. No such removal may be undertaken without the unanimous approval of the committee members representing the Marion heirs and the President of Francis Marion University or his designee serving on the committee. If the committee by resolution determines the removal appropriate and feasible, it is empowered to take all steps necessary to accomplish this result, and its authority to accomplish this purpose supersedes any other provision of law, regulation, or ordinance. Public funds may not be expended for the actual expenses of preparing a new gravesite, but the committee may call upon the services of state agencies and institutions and local governments in planning and conducting the move and organizing appropriate ceremonies associated therewith.
The existence of the committee terminates on the date it by resolution determines removal of the remains to be inappropriate or unfeasible, or both, or thirty days after completion of the removal.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.