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Article published Jan 19, 2005
Bill would change how roads are named
Associated Press
COLUMBIA -- House Speaker David Wilkins
has introduced a bill to prohibit the naming of South Carolina roads for people
who are still living."It is time we stop this inappropriate practice once and
for all," Wilkins said Tuesday. "Only after a proper amount of time following
one's passing can their contributions and life's legacy be legitimately
evaluated."The bill specifically excludes state buildings from the ban, Wilkins
said, so as not to deter donations to state colleges.The long-standing practice
has been questioned in the past, but criticism came to a head last year when
former South Carolina Comptroller General Earle Morris was convicted of 22
counts of securities fraud.State Highway 153 that runs through Anderson and
Pickens counties -- home to many of the people defrauded by Morris' failed
Carolina Investors -- is named Earle Morris Highway.Earlier this year, state
Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, said he surveyed owners of businesses located on
the road and an overwhelming number said they would like to see the name
changed.