South Carolina H 4488: Nathaniel Fulton, Sr.

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4488 Text of Previous Version (May. 06, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4488

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE 
HONORABLE JOSEPH HAYNE RAINEY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTHDAY ON JUNE 21 AND TO 
COMMEMORATE HIS HISTORIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE UNITED 
STATES.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives take great pride in honoring 
distinguished leaders from our state's history who have left an indelible mark 
on the cause of liberty and equality; and

Whereas, born into 
slavery in Georgetown, South Carolina, on June 21, 1832, Joseph Hayne Rainey 
rose to become a trailblazer in American politics, courageously paving the way 
for future generations of Black leaders; and

Whereas, after gaining 
his freedom and returning to the United States following some time abroad, 
Rainey entered public life with a steadfast commitment to civil rights, 
education, and economic opportunity for all; and

Whereas, in 1870, 
Joseph Rainey made history by becoming the first African American to serve in 
the United States House of Representatives, representing South Carolina's First 
Congressional District during the Reconstruction era with honor and distinction; 
and

Whereas, during his 
tenure in Congress, Rainey championed policies promoting racial equality, 
fought against the Ku Klux Klan, supported public education, and defended the 
constitutional rights of all Americans; and

Whereas, his 
extraordinary legacy continues to inspire leaders at every level of government, 
and his name endures through institutions such as the Joseph Rainey Center for 
Public Policy, which works to empower a new generation of civic-minded public 
servants; and

Whereas, as we mark the 
anniversary of his birth on June 21, it is fitting and proper for the South 
Carolina House of Representatives to recognize the enduring contributions of 
this son of South Carolina, whose courage and vision helped shape a more just and 
inclusive nation. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor 
and remember the life and legacy of the Honorable Joseph Hayne Rainey on the 
occasion of his birthday on June 21 and commemorate his historic contributions 
to the State of South Carolina and the United States.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to the Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy.

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