South Carolina General Assembly

122nd Session, 2017-2018

S.814

STATUS INFORMATION

Concurrent Resolution

Sponsors: Senator Kimpson

Document Path: l:\council\bills\gt\5379cm18.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2018

Introduced in the House on February 22, 2018

Adopted by the General Assembly on March 22, 2018

Summary: Officer James Owens Jr. Memorial Intersection

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

12/6/2017SenatePrefiled

12/6/2017SenateReferred to Committee on Transportation

1/9/2018SenateIntroduced (Senate Journalpage67)

1/9/2018SenateReferred to Committee on Transportation(Senate Journalpage67)

2/20/2018SenateRecalled from Committee on Transportation(Senate Journalpage3)

2/21/2018SenateAdopted, sent to House (Senate Journalpage38)

2/22/2018HouseIntroduced (House Journalpage61)

2/22/2018HouseReferred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions (House Journalpage61)

3/21/2018HouseCommittee report: Favorable Invitations and Memorial Resolutions (House Journalpage59)

3/22/2018HouseAdopted, returned to Senate with concurrence (House Journalpage46)

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

12/6/2017

2/20/2018

3/21/2018

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 21, 2018

S.814

Introduced by Senator Kimpson

S. Printed 3/21/18--H.

Read the first time February 22, 2018.

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S.814) to request the Department of Transportation name the intersection located at the junction of Calhoun and Rutledge streets in the City of Charleston “Officer James Owens, Jr. Memorial Intersection”, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

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

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

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ACONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE INTERSECTION LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF CALHOUN AND RUTLEDGE STREETS IN THE CITY OF CHARLESTON “OFFICER JAMES OWENS, JR. MEMORIAL INTERSECTION” AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THIS DESIGNATION.

Whereas, James Owens, Jr., was born on December 1, 1933, in Charleston, South Carolina, one of seven children of James Owens, Sr., and Martha Gregg Owens. He attended Charleston County area schools and while in his teens, worked at the local post office; and

Whereas, he was joined in marriage to Shirley Mack Owens and together they were blessed with a large family. The family attended Gethsemane Baptist Church in Charleston; and

Whereas, Owens joined the United States Army at the young age of seventeen, serving abroad at posts in Germany and Korea. Completing his military service, Owens spent several years with the Charleston County Fire Department. He later joined the Charleston County Police Department, becoming one of the county’s first AfricanAmerican policemen. He was described as an easy going officer who seemed to enjoy tough investigations; and

Whereas, it was in this line of duty, on May 11, 1968, while transporting a justarrested criminal to the county jail, that the suspect produced a .22 caliber handgun shooting Owens four times. Mortally wounded, the 34yearold patrolman died in the westbound lane of Calhoun Street; and

Whereas, with May 11, 2018, marking the fiftieth anniversary of this tragic event, it would be fitting and proper to pay tribute to the heroic deeds of Patrolman Owens by naming an intersection in the City of Charleston in his honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Department of Transportation name the intersection located at the junction of Calhoun and Rutledge streets in the City of Charleston “Officer James Owens, Jr. Memorial Intersection” and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing this designation.

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

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