A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

To request the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 21 from its intersection with Interstate Highway 77 to its intersection with South Carolina Highway 5 in York County "Sheriff J. Elbert Pope Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs or markers along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Whereas, a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, James Elbert Pope was born August 6, 1918, to Mose Laster and Beuford Pope and spent his entire life here. He married Harriett Elizabeth Thomas and together they were the proud parents of two sons, Jim Pope and Thomas E. Pope, the current Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and one daughter, Terri Pope Hottle; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Pope spent his entire forty-three-year working career in the field of law enforcement as a member of the York County Sheriffs Department. He was elected sheriff in 1980, a position he held for eight years, before he retired in 1988. During his tenure, the sheriff's office created its own Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit; and

 

Whereas, Sheriff Pope was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the South Carolina Sheriff's Association, and the American Legion. A member of the Greatest Generation, he bravely served his country during World War II as a member of the United States Navy. He was a faithful member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church; and

 

Whereas, he was widowed on January 30, 1988, when his beloved spouse, Harriett Elizabeth Thomas Pope passed away. At the venerable age of 81, Sheriff J. Elbert Pope passed away on December 21, 1999, surrounded by his loved ones; and 

 

Whereas, with a life lived devoted in service to family, God, and country, it is only proper and fitting that Sheriff J. Elbert Pope is remembered with a portion of highway in York County named in his memory. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the portion of United States Highway 21 from its intersection with Interstate Highway 77 to its intersection with South Carolina Highway 5 in York County "Sheriff J. Elbert Pope Memorial Highway" and erect appropriate signs or markers along this portion of highway containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to The Department of Transportation.

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