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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1002 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1002

Expressing congratulations to the towns of Camden, Bethune, Elgin, and 
 Kershaw County, South Carolina, for being named 1 of 10 All-American 
                            Cities winners.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 17, 2018

 Mr. Norman submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing congratulations to the towns of Camden, Bethune, Elgin, and 
 Kershaw County, South Carolina, for being named 1 of 10 All-American 
                            Cities winners.

Whereas South Carolina became a State on May 23, 1788;
Whereas Kershaw was designated a ``district'' from 1800 until 1868, when a new 
        State constitution restored the ``county'' designation;
Whereas Camden was founded in 1732, being the oldest inland town in South 
        Carolina;
Whereas Camden was established by a decree from King George II in 1730, and 
        started as a small backcountry settlement along the banks of the Wateree 
        River, the farthest point west that most Europeans would travel at that 
        time;
Whereas Bethune, originally known as Lynchwood, was established by the early 
        19th century when a post office was erected in 1828;
Whereas Bethune was chartered in 1900 upon the creation of its first railroad, 
        and the right-a-way passed through the property of Daniel Murdock 
        Bethune;
Whereas Elgin's history traces back to 1899 when the Seaboard Coastline Railroad 
        was making its way across midlands of South Carolina;
Whereas the rails expanded in Elgin, and this area was named ``Blaney'' after a 
        New York banker who funded the railroad and was eventually named vice 
        president of the railroad;
Whereas the town of Blaney was charted and incorporated on January 23, 1908;
Whereas the town of Blaney became the town of Elgin in September 1962;
Whereas Kershaw County was created in 1971 from portions of Claremont, 
        Fairfield, Lancaster, and Richland Counties;
Whereas the towns of Camden, Elgin, and Bethune now all fall within the 
        jurisdiction of Kershaw County;
Whereas the towns of Camden, Elgin, and Bethune, in conjunction with Kershaw 
        County, have all been classified as one entity within the regulations of 
        the All-American City National Civic League;
Whereas since 1949, the All-American City National Civic League issues an award 
        to 10 communities celebrating and recognizing neighborhoods, towns, 
        cities, counties, and regions that engage in initiative, inclusive, and 
        effective efforts to tackle critical, local challenges;
Whereas this award was once called the ``Nobel Prize for constructive 
        citizenship'' and has been awarded to more than 500 communities across 
        the country;
Whereas Kershaw County was the only county to enter and win a nomination in 
        2018; and
Whereas the receiving of such a prominent and honorable award will pay tribute 
        to the rich history and public service that Kershaw County and its towns 
        contribute to South Carolina and our Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes Kershaw County, South Carolina, and its 
        towns for having won a prestigious award only granted to 10 
        communities each year; and
            (2) commends the work these citizens have accomplished to 
        create a better community for all South Carolinians.
                                 <all>
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