The Clemson University board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution calling for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds. The action was taken Monday at a meeting called solely to consider that action.
Chairman David Wilkins noted that the board had addressed the flag issue previously, passing a December 1999 resolution calling for its removal from the State House dome. Two trustees, Wilkins and Bob Peeler, signed the concurrent resolution to remove the flag from the dome in 2000 because at the time they served, respectively, as speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives and lieutenant governor.
The full text of the resolution is below:
Whereas, the Clemson University Board of Trustees desires to acknowledge the tragic events of June 17, 2015 in which nine South Carolinians lost their lives, Cynthia Hurd; Susie Jackson; Ethel Lance; Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor; Hon. Rev. Clementa Pinckney; Tywanza Sanders; Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr.; Rev. Sharonda Singleton; Myra Thompson;
Whereas, the Clemson University Board of Trustees desires to show support to the City of Charleston which has been a home to the University’s public service, architecture and historic preservation programs for many years and continues to be an integral part of our academic future;
Whereas, the Clemson University Board of Trustees previously supported efforts to remove the Confederate flag from the State House dome and passed a resolution commemorating this support in December of 1999;
Therefore be it resolved, the Clemson University Board of Trustees supports the efforts of Governor Haley and many of the state’s political, civic and business leaders in urging for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House grounds to a location suited for the display of a historic symbol.
Don’t they have more important things to do than this?