South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

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H. 3949

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. King, Duncan and Garvin
Document Path: LC-0238SA25.docx

Introduced in the House on February 11, 2025
Currently residing in the House

Summary: State anthem

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number
2/11/2025 House Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 9)
2/11/2025 House Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 9)
2/20/2025 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Duncan
4/24/2025 House Committee report: Favorable Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 45)
4/29/2025 Scrivener's error corrected
4/30/2025 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Garvin
4/30/2025 House Read second time
4/30/2025 House Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

02/11/2025
04/24/2025
04/29/2025
04/29/2025-A



Committee Report

April 24, 2025

 

H. 3949

 

Introduced by Reps. King and Duncan

 

S. Printed 4/24/25--H.                                                                           [SEC 4/29/2025 9:55 PM]

Read the first time February 11, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on House Education and Public Works

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3949) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by adding Section 1-1-614 so as to designate "Dum Spiro Spero" translated as "While I Breathe, I Hope" as the official choral, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-614 SO AS TO DESIGNATE "DUM SPIRO SPERO" TRANSLATED AS "WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE" AS THE OFFICIAL CHORAL ANTHEM OF THE STATE.

 

Whereas, the lyrics of the song "While I Breathe, I Hope" are "From the blue of coastal waters to the green of mountainsides. We stand as sons and daughters of those who bled and died to defend our common interest so we might live and breathe. We take this freedom given and build upon their dreams. Dum spiro spero, while we breathe, we hope. Hope enough for all who dwell here under Carolina skies. Hope for tomorrow that begins with us today, and will last for generations for all who chose to stay." 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 S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 1-1-614. "Dum Spiro Spero" translated as "While I Breathe, I Hope" is the official choral anthem of the State.

 

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

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This web page was last updated on April 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM