Bill Text: SC H4615 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Gullah Society's Ancestral reinternment of 36 individuals

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 78-44)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-20 - Introduced and adopted [H4615 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H4615-Introduced.html


A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE GULLAH SOCIETY'S RECENT HISTORIC ANCESTRAL REBURIAL CELEBRATION HELD IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the Gullah Society recently held a historic ancestral reburial celebration through a series of events in April and May 2019; and

Whereas, the events focused on the reburial of thirty-six people of African descent that were uncovered in 2013 at the Gaillard Center near Anson Street; and

Whereas, historical, archaeological, and ongoing DNA research has revealed that these women, men, and children were buried between 1750 and 1800. Some were born in Africa, while others were born in South Carolina; and

Whereas, the community celebration of these individuals included a naming ceremony by the riverside, a DNA ancestry report, ancestors' reburial, and an ecumenical service; and

Whereas, the ancestors' reburial procession and ceremony took place on Saturday, May 4, at the College of Charleston, and the procession moved toward the reinterment site near the Gaillard Center. Community members had an opportunity to pay their last respects to the thirty-six individuals prior to the celebration of both these individuals and others whose graves have been lost, which included libations, talks, dances, masquerades, and songs; and

Whereas, on Sunday, May 5, the ecumenical service at St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church remembered and honored these ancestors and spoke to a future of greater reconciliation and truth-telling in Charleston; and

Whereas, the Gullah Society is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes, and perpetuates Gullah Geechee culture and traditions and works to develop methods that will provide Gullah Geechee people with skills in identifying and preserving sites, historical data, artifacts, and objects associated with Gullah Geechee people and culture, for the benefit and education of all; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are proud to honor and remember these ancestral sons and daughters of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Gullah Society's recent historic ancestral reburial celebration held in Charleston, South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Gullah Society.

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