Bill Text: SC H5518 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: George Floyd
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-06-24 - Introduced and adopted [H5518 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2019-H5518-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS ON THE PASSING OF GEORGE FLOYD, TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, AND TO COMMIT THEIR ATTENTION TO COMBATING POLICE BRUTALITY WHILE ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC RACISM AS IT EXISTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck and back for over eight minutes; and
Whereas, the police officers were called in response to an allegation of the use of a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill and the excessive force used by Officer Derek Chauvin, a police officer with nearly twenty complaints on his official record, directly contributed to Floyd's death. Chauvin was arrested on May 29, 2020; and
Whereas, Floyd's death ignited a movement against strong-arm and brutal police tactics that has grown to encompass the fight against the systemic racism against black Americans that is so pervasive in our society; and
Whereas, calling for reform of police practices and engaging directly in the fight against racism, protests were started in all fifty states and several countries decried the brutality against Floyd including Canada, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizes that the lives of black South Carolinians matter and it is the duty of this legislative body to critically look at laws that hold these citizens back and alter the training requirements for police officers as a means to honor George Floyd and celebrate his memory by working to prevent the loss of another black citizen at the hands of police officers; and
Whereas, minorities are impacted more greatly by challenges and inequities in many areas including, but not limited to, crime, social capital, education, transportation, employment, food access, health behaviors, socioeconomic status, environmental exposure, access to health services, housing, and public safety. Systemic racism also leads to inequities in our criminal justice system, and South Carolina must commit to fight these inequities in order to improve the quality of life and health of our minority residents; and
Whereas, although this is a time for heartfelt reflection, it is also a time for action. Our State absolutely condemns police brutality and the loss of George Floyd is appalling and shocks the conscience. Although he will not see the impact he leaves on long standing institutions, George Floyd has left an indelible legacy and has forever changed the world. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express the profound sorrow of the members on the passing of George Floyd, extend their deepest sympathy to his family, and commit their attention to combating police brutality while addressing systemic racism as it exists in South Carolina.
