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Bill 4320

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      4320
Type of Legislation:              Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  20010813
Primary Sponsor:                  G. Brown
All Sponsors:                     G. Brown
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\dka\4564mm02.doc
Residing Body:                    House
Current Committee:                Invitations and Memorial Resolutions 
                                  Committee 24 HIMR
Subject:                          Felix A. "Doc" Blanchard 
                                  Interchange, Transportation Department to name 
                                  in Lee County; Requests, Resolutions


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20010813  Introduced, referred to Committee      24 HIMR


              Versions of This Bill

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE INTERCHANGE AT THE INTERSECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 20 AND UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 15 IN LEE COUNTY THE "FELIX A. 'DOC' BLANCHARD INTERCHANGE" IN HONOR OF THE BISHOPVILLE NATIVE WHO SHARES HIS PLACE IN THE NATIONAL SPORTS SPOTLIGHT IN THE 1940'S WITH HIS PROUD HOME STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS CONTAINING THE WORDS "FELIX A. 'DOC' BLANCHARD INTERCHANGE".

Whereas, Felix A. "Doc" Blanchard, Jr., grew up in the Lee County Town of Bishopville, South Carolina; and

Whereas, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1944, joining the Army football team as a fullback; and

Whereas, his presence in the backfield, as "Mr. Inside" in tandem with halfback Glen Davis, "Mr. Outside", catapulted Army to three consecutive undefeated football seasons; and

Whereas, in 1945, he was honored as recipient of the Heisman Trophy, recognizing the nation's best collegiate football player, and the Sullivan Award, highlighting his performance as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete of the year; and

Whereas, this speedy and strong sports legend also was a stellar place kicker, punter, and pass receiver, whose reception of a halfback toss from Davis sealed the 21-18 win against arch rival Navy in 1946; and

Whereas, the football hero went on to serve honorably as a jet pilot in World War II, being cited for bravery for his heroism in safely landing his flaming plane at an airfield rather than abandoning it in a heavily populated area near London, England, and later in Vietnam; and

Whereas, "Doc" Blanchard is remembered proudly by his home state of South Carolina and with awe by sports enthusiasts of all generations; and

Whereas, it is fitting that the members of the General Assembly recognize the accomplishments of this true sports legend in an appropriate manner. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly request the Department of Transportation to name the interchange at the intersection of Interstate Highway 20 and United States Highway 15 in Lee County the "Felix A. 'Doc' Blanchard Interchange" in honor of the Bishopville native who shares his place in the national sports spotlight with his proud home state of South Carolina, and to erect appropriate signs or markers containing the words "Felix A. 'Doc' Blanchard Interchange".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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