South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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H. 3350

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. G.R. Smith, Allen, Bannister, Bedingfield, Hamilton, Leach, Shoopman and Taylor
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11178ac07.doc

Introduced in the House on January 25, 2007
Currently residing in the House Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

Summary: "Schmooney"

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   1/25/2007  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-1
   1/25/2007  House   Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial 
                        Resolutions HJ-2

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/25/2007

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

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-612 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE "SCHMOONEY" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE MASCOT FOR LITERACY.

Whereas, South Carolina has the third highest adult illiteracy rate in the United States, and five South Carolina counties have illiteracy rates higher than forty percent; and

Whereas, in 2002, one third of South Carolina students in the eighth grade were reading below state standards; and

Whereas, a literate population is a vital component of a growing and successful economy, as well as a necessary component for achieving an educated workforce; and

Whereas, promoting literacy not only serves the State, but also has the potential to impact and improve the quality of life for those who may be held back personally and economically due to illiteracy; and

Whereas, helping develop strong reading skills and instilling a love of reading at an early age helps provide children with a strong foundation for success in school and in life; and

Whereas, capturing the interest of children is often aided by physical symbols, and Bob Shumaker, a retired sales and marketing executive from Greenville, has created a unique symbol for reading, the "Schmooney", the main character in the Schmooney Trilogies, a children's series written by Mr. Shumaker; and

Whereas, the Schmooney, a creature made up of seven different animals, is not only a storybook hero, but also a soft cuddly stuffed animal which is fast becoming an endearing symbol that entices children to read; and

Whereas, Mr. Schumaker has developed and made available Schmooney Programs to communities, schools, churches, and libraries, and through these programs the Schmooney helps increase children's interest in reading, improves vocabulary and social interaction skills, and increases knowledge of nature and civic responsibilities. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-612.    The Schmooney, a legendary creature made up of seven different animals and the central character of the Schmooney Trilogies, is the official State mascot for literacy."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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