IV 

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; 


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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, 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes Kershaw County, South Caro3 lina, and its towns for having won a prestigious 

4 award only granted to 10 communities each year; 

5 and 

6 (2) commends the work these citizens have ac7 complished to create a better community for all 

8 South Carolinians. 

Æ 


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