A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING THE USS LOWNDES 1996 REUNION IN
SOUTH CAROLINA IN MEMORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED
SOUTH CAROLINIAN FOR WHOM THIS WORLD WAR II
NAVY SHIP WAS NAMED.

Adopted March 28, 1996, by the South Carolina House of Representatives with Concurrence by
the South Carolina Senate H. 4839.

Introduced by Representatives Kelley, T. Brown, Keegan, Martin, Thomas,
Witherspoon and Worley.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE U.S.S. LOWNDES 1996 REUNION IN
SOUTH CAROLINA IN MEMORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED
SOUTH CAROLINIAN FOR WHOM THIS WORLD WAR II
NAVY SHIP WAS NAMED.

WHEREAS, the U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154, a Navy Assault
Personnel Attack Ship of World War II, is named for William Lowndes, a South Carolina statesman with outstanding achievements in the South Carolina General Assembly and the
United States Congress during the early 19th Century; and

WHEREAS, crew members of the U.S.S. Lowndes will
recognize this distinguished South Carolinian and his State by holding their 1996 Reunion
at Myrtle Beach; and

WHEREAS, during his relatively short life from 1782-1822,
William Lowndes compiled an incredible record of accomplishments as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and the United States House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, in Congress he was a strong advocate of
increasing the nation's military and naval strength and served as Chairman of the House
Committee on Navy Affairs as well as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and
in other key leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, he was nominated for President of the United
States by the South Carolina Legislature (but declined to accept) and prominent statesman
Henry Clay described Lowndes as the "wisest man I ever knew"; and

WHEREAS, the States of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi
all recognized the outstanding achievements of this distinguished South Carolinian and
named counties for him in each of their respective states; and

WHEREAS, the United States Navy made a decision to place
the name of this great South Carolinian on one of its World War II ships; and

WHEREAS, after being launched in July 1944, the U.S.S.
Lowndes engaged in World War II operations involving the transport of troops in the
Pacific area and participation in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, including landing
operations by the ship's beach battalion during the assault on Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion Group has chosen
to recognize this great South Carolinian by coming to his home state for the Reunion at
Myrtle Beach on October 17-20, 1996.

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

THAT William Lowndes be memorialized in recognition oi his outstanding leadership and service to South Carolina and the United States, including his accomplishments that resulted in the decision to name the U.S.S. Lowndes APA 154
in his memory.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S.S. Lowndes Reunion be extended a cordial welcome to South Carolina for the 1996 Reunion at Myrtle Beach and that our commendation and appreciation be extended to all members of the
U.S.S. Lowndes for their exemplary service to our nation in World War II.

State of South Carolina
In the House of Representatives
Columbia, South Carolina
March 28, 1996

We hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution passed in
the House of Representatives and concurred in by the Senate.

David H. Wilkins
Speaker

Sandra K. McKinney
Clerk of the House