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
Introduced in the Senate on May 1, 2025
Currently residing in the Senate
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 (House Journal-page 40) |
| 4/30/2025 | House | Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 40) |
| 5/1/2025 | House | Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 11) |
| 5/1/2025 | Senate | Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 12) |
| 5/1/2025 | Senate | Referred to Committee on Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 12) |
| 4/15/2026 | Scrivener's error corrected | |
| 4/16/2026 | Senate | Committee report: Favorable Family and Veterans' Services (Senate Journal-page 5) |
| 4/30/2026 | Senate | Read second time (Senate Journal-page 44) |
| 4/30/2026 | Senate | Roll call Ayes-42 Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 44) |
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
04/15/2026
04/16/2026
Committee Report
April 16, 2026
H. 3949
Introduced by Reps. King, Duncan and Garvin
S. Printed 4/16/26--S.
Read the first time May 1, 2025
________
The committee on Senate Family and Veterans' Services
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:
THOMAS YOUNG for Committee.
_______
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 I breathe, I 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 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM