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INTRODUCED
May 13, 2004
H. 5238
Introduced by Reps. Haskins, Allen, Altman, Anthony, Bailey, Bales, Barfield, Battle, Bingham, Bowers, Branham, Breeland, G. Brown, J. Brown, R. Brown, Cato, Ceips, Chellis, Clark, Clemmons, Clyburn, Coates, Cobb-Hunter, Coleman, Cooper, Cotty, Dantzler, Davenport, Delleney, Duncan, Edge, Emory, Freeman, Frye, Gilham, Gourdine, Govan, Hagood, Hamilton, Harrell, Harrison, Harvin, Hayes, Herbkersman, J. Hines, M. Hines, Hinson, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jennings, Keegan, Kennedy, Kirsh, Koon, Leach, Lee, Limehouse, Littlejohn, Lloyd, Loftis, Lourie, Lucas, Mack, Mahaffey, Martin, McCraw, McGee, McLeod, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, J.H. Neal, J.M. Neal, Neilson, Ott, Owens, Parks, Perry, Phillips, Pinson, E.H. Pitts, M.A. Pitts, Quinn, Rhoad, Rice, Richardson, Rivers, Rutherford, Sandifer, Scarborough, Scott, Simrill, Sinclair, Skelton, D.C. Smith, F.N. Smith, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, J.R. Smith, W.D. Smith, Snow, Stewart, Stille, Talley, Taylor, Thompson, Toole, Townsend, Tripp, Trotter, Umphlett, Vaughn, Viers, Walker, Weeks, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Wilkins, Witherspoon and Young
S. Printed 5/13/04--S. [SEC 5/14/04 3:50 PM]
Read the first time May 13, 2004.
TO RECOGNIZE THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY ON JULY 20, 2004, AND TO COMMEMORATE THIS SPECIAL OCCASION WHEN REGIONAL AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS ARE HELD, THE FLAG AND NATIONAL ANTHEM ARE HONORED, AND THOSE WHO SHED THEIR BLOOD IN BATTLE SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF COLOMBIA COULD ATTAIN INDEPENDENCE ARE REMEMBERED.
Whereas, Spanish explorers arrived in the area around 1500 establishing settlements that eventually grew into the provinces which were a part of the Captaincy General of New Granada; and
Whereas, a Viceroyalty in 1717, an independence movement sprang up in 1810 and finally succeeded in 1819 when the territory of the Viceroyalty of New Granada became the Republic of Greater Colombia (Gran Colombia) when Simon Bolivar, one of South America's greatest generals, led his people to victory over the Spaniards becoming known as "El Libertador" (The Liberator) and the "George Washington of South America". Gran Colombia later became present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela; and
Whereas, an exceptionally beautiful country, the western half of Colombia is dominated by the Andes with the eastern half characterized by densely forested lowland plains; Colombians enjoy a pleasant tropical climate along both coasts and in the eastern plains with considerably cooler temperatures in the mountainous highlands; and
Whereas, the third most populous country in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico, Colombia's main exports are coffee and textiles; and
Whereas, throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Colombia has maintained a tradition of civilian government and regular, free elections dominated by two political parties, the Conservatives and the Liberals; and
Whereas, though the country's commitment to democratic institutions is unwavering, Colombia's history has been characterized with conflict, often violent, with the government increasingly focused on ending the limited, but persistent, insurgencies that seek to undermine Colombia's traditional democratic system; and
Whereas, in 2002, H. E. Alvaro Uribe Velez was sworn in as Colombia's President bringing with him a strong conviction that Colombia needs to be led with moral authority and a strong sense of leadership and a vision that includes a well-planned law and order agenda; and
Whereas, known as a workaholic President who can recite the Gettysburg Address by memory, this Harvard educated President has delivered on his promise of bringing order back to the country and has successfully curbed much of the lawlessness and made gains in public safety through building more police stations in small towns and flooding the highways with soldiers and police making the nation's highways safe for travel; and
Whereas, President Uribe's progressive leadership has restored the people's faith and given the citizens of Colombia great hope for continued peace, stability, and democracy in their beloved country; and
Whereas, Colombia is outstandingly represented by Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno who continues to serve tirelessly and with distinction as he safeguards the best interests of Colombia and its people as he represents them in Washington receiving great praise and acclaim from the United States House of Representatives and Senate bringing honor to his country; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to recognize the growing Colombian community in the State, particularly in Greenville, and praise them for their characteristic strong work ethic, commitment to democracy, steadfast faith, and love of family and to wish the Columbian community great joy as they celebrate their country's Independence Day in Greenville on Sunday, July 18, 2004; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is proud to recognize this country that is not only rich in natural beauty but culturally enriched as well and to applaud its democratic history-Saludos Colombianos! Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize the Republic of Colombia's Independence Day on July 20, 2004, and commemorate this special occasion when regional and cultural celebrations are held, the flag and national anthem are honored, and those who shed their blood in battle so that the people of Colombia could attain independence are remembered.
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