Committee Report

March 28, 2024

H. 5314

Introduced by Reps. Haddon and Burns

S. Printed 03/28/24--H.

Read the first time March 21, 2024

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The committee on House Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 5314) to request the Department of Transportation name the intersection of United States Highway 25 (White Horse Road) and South Carolina Highway 183 (Saluda Dam Road), etc., respectfully

Report:

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

DENNIS MOSS for Committee.

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A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSECTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 25 (WHITE HORSE ROAD) AND SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY 183 (SALUDA DAM ROAD) IN THE GREENVILLE COUNTY TOWN OF BEREA "HAROLD M. BATSON, jR. MEMORIAL INTERSECTION" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.

Whereas, born February 6, 1940, the son of the late Harold Manning Batson, Sr., and Carolyn Farr Batson, Harold Manning Batson, Jr., was a native and lifelong resident of the Berea community. It was here that he left a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come; and

Whereas, a 1958 graduate of Berea High School, Batson attended Furman University where he earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1962. Ten years later he returned to Furman where he earned a master's degree. He pursued a career in education after college, returning to Berea High in 1968 where he would serve in various capacities over the next three decades; and

Whereas, Batson was a teacher and head coach of four sports - baseball, football, golf and boy's basketball. He served as athletic director and assistant principal, with his final seven years before retirement spent as principal of his beloved alma mater, Berea High. From driving a bus as a student in the 1950s to his years of service, Batson gave his heart and soul to the school he loved; and

Whereas, in recognition of his dedication and service, the Berea High football stadium was named in his honor in 2011 as part of the school's centennial celebration. Batson also was an inaugural inductee of the Berea High Athletic Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, a lifelong member of Berea First Baptist Church, Batson was a leader, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Berea Lions Club, a charter member of the Friends of Berea High School Alumni Board, and received the State's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto for outstanding service to his community; and

Whereas, helping him in his life's work was Patricia Caldwell, a cheerleader and fellow student at Berea High who became his wife, a union that lasted for sixty-four years and produced two sons, Brian and Mitchell Dean (deceased), both graduates of Berea High School. The extended family now includes five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, Batson passed away at his home on November 23, 2023, at the venerable age of eighty-three. His determination to do what was best for Berea High and his commitment to the Berea community exemplified his integrity, his natural ability to connect not only with young people but also with his fellow educators, his service-driven leadership and his love for Berea will have a lasting impact for generations to come; and

Whereas, it is only proper and fitting that Harold Manning Batson, Jr., a native son of the Palmetto State whose unmatched example of faith, humility, loyalty, and compassion will be his enduring legacy, is remembered with an intersection in his beloved Berea named in his honor. 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 intersection of United States Highway 25 (White Horse Road) and South Carolina Highway 183 (Saluda Dam Road) in the Greenville County Town of Berea "Harold M. Batson, Jr. Memorial Intersection" and erect appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

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

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