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TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO ERECT A MARKER ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX TO RECOGNIZE THE LIFE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LATE UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN ROBERT SMALLS.
Whereas, in April 1862, Smalls was a twenty-three-year-old slave pilot when he commandeered a Confederate transport steamer, the Planter. Smalls sailed the ship, loaded with armaments away from a Charleston dock, past the heavily guarded Fort Sumter, and delivered it to the Union fleet; and
Whereas, a few months later, in August, Smalls served the Union as the pilot and captain of the ironclad Keokuk during a failed attack on Fort Sumter. Struck nineteen times at or below the waterline, the Keokuk sank, but Smalls and his crew were rescued; and
Whereas, after his naval career, Smalls moved back to his native Beaufort and established himself as a politician. He was elected to the South Carolina House in 1868 and the South Carolina Senate in 1870, where he fought for the economic rights and protection of blacks; and
Whereas, he also defended the cause of an honest and responsible government. In 1874, Smalls was elected to Congress, where he expanded his fight to protect the rights of black people despite the opposition and intimidation of whites; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper to honor this outstanding son of the Palmetto State by placing a marker on the grounds of the Capitol Complex that chronicles his many achievements. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. That the State House Committee which is charged with the responsibilities of reviewing and approving all alterations or renovations of the State House or its grounds, pursuant to Section 10-1-40 of the 1976 Code is hereby directed to erect a marker on the grounds of the Capitol Complex to recognize the life and many accomplishments of the late United States Congressman Robert Smalls.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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