A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE JUNE 17, 2016, AS MOTHER EMANUEL NINE DAY AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL STATE AGENCIES TO REFLECT ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY FOR MINORITIES AS WELL AS THE EFFORTS TO HELP THE HOMELESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Whereas, on June 17, 2015, nine African Americans were murdered during a bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by a lone gunman in Charleston, South Carolina; and Whereas, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the South and has served as a rock in the Charleston community against discrimination and continues to serve the citizens of Charleston, focusing heavily on helping the homeless; and Whereas, the tragic event shocked not only South Carolina, but the entire nation; and Whereas, while the shooter intended to start a race war, the community responded by an outpouring of love and unity, culminating in thousands creating a unity chain across the Ravenel Bridge; and Whereas, the shooting raised concerns over race-related violence and the state of race relations in South Carolina; and Whereas, the General Assembly encourages every state agency and all South Carolinians to pause and reflect on the horrific tragedy that occurred and to contemplate the state of race relations in their community and the State. Now, therefore,
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DECLARE JUNE 17, 2016, AS MOTHER EMANUEL NINE DAY AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL STATE AGENCIES TO REFLECT ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN IMPROVING RACE RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY FOR MINORITIES AS WELL AS THE EFFORTS TO HELP THE HOMELESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Whereas, on June 17, 2015, nine African Americans were murdered during a bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by a lone gunman in Charleston, South Carolina; and Whereas, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the South and has served as a rock in the Charleston community against discrimination and continues to serve the citizens of Charleston, focusing heavily on helping the homeless; and Whereas, the tragic event shocked not only South Carolina, but the entire nation; and Whereas, while the shooter intended to start a race war, the community responded by an outpouring of love and unity, culminating in thousands creating a unity chain across the Ravenel Bridge; and Whereas, the shooting raised concerns over race-related violence and the state of race relations in South Carolina; and Whereas, the General Assembly encourages every state agency and all South Carolinians to pause and reflect on the horrific tragedy that occurred and to contemplate the state of race relations in their community and the State. Now, therefore,