South Carolina General Assembly
114th Session, 2001-2002

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Bill 1024


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      1024
Type of Legislation:              Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                 Senate
Introduced Date:                  20020214
Primary Sponsor:                  Mescher
All Sponsors:                     Mescher, Giese and Grooms
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\gjk\21007sd02.doc
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:     20020219
Subject:                          State of Character initiative


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20020219  Introduced, adopted, returned
                  with concurrence
Senate  20020214  Introduced, adopted, sent to House


              Versions of This Bill

View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE COMMITMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS IN ALL ENDEAVORS AND TO DECLARE SOUTH CAROLINA TO BE A "STATE OF CHARACTER" IN ORDER TO FORMALLY LAUNCH A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE CHARACTER IN OUR SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, FAITHS, GOVERNMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDIA, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND FAMILIES.

Whereas, the State of South Carolina recognized and proclaimed that the family is the fundamental building block of society through passage of the South Carolina Family Respect Act as contained in Article 7, Chapter 1, Title 20 of the 1976 Code; and

Whereas, within healthy families children are instilled with values essential to the vitality of our State; and

Whereas, these values include personal responsibility, honesty, duty, commitment to others, a strong work ethic, respect for property, respect for authority, and sound educational habits; and

Whereas, the General Assembly further recognizes the importance of honorable character qualities based upon the moral standards held by our founding fathers on which they established our nation and legal system; and

Whereas, the General Assembly desires to build upon our heritage by making South Carolina a State where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, business is productive, neighbors care about each other, and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families; and

Whereas, individuals are responsible for their actions, and daily decisions should be based upon objective moral standards which are the basis of universally recognized character qualities including, but not limited to, gratefulness, honesty, truthfulness, diligence, generosity, responsibility, compassion, and loyalty; and

Whereas, lack of commitment and irresponsibility have resulted in an increasing number of family problems causing personal, social, and financial consequences to individual family members and to this State as a whole; and

Whereas, there is a need for more positive role models among our young people to help reduce juvenile rebellion and delinquency and foster a community culture where good character is praised and encouraged; and

Whereas, if people fail to demonstrate positive character qualities and make wrong moral choices, the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens are endangered, resulting in a financial burden upon the taxpayers for the costs of law enforcement; and

Whereas, many current societal problems will be alleviated when the citizens of this State live by positive and constructive character qualities which distinguish between right and wrong; and

Whereas, teaching positive character qualities to troubled juveniles has been shown to produce a change in behavior, reducing recidivism rates; and

Whereas, our schools should be a safer atmosphere where character is exemplified, taught, and rewarded, and where learning is encouraged; and

Whereas, encouraging employees by recognizing positive character qualities has resulted in an increase in workplace morale, employee safety, and corporate profits; and

Whereas, the emphasis of positive character qualities in every sector of society can only occur as individuals commit themselves to exemplifying character in their personal lives and inspiring others to do the same. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly on behalf of the people of South Carolina pledge their commitment to positive character traits in all endeavors and declare South Carolina to be a "State of Character" in order to formally launch a statewide initiative to encourage character in our schools, businesses, faiths, government, law enforcement, media, community groups, and families.

Be it further resolved that the leaders of each of these groups are encouraged to support and contribute to this endeavor.

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