A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 76 (HILLCREST DRIVE) IN THE CITY OF LAURENS IN LAURENS COUNTY FROM THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH HARPER STREET TO HILLCREST SQUARE "JUDGE JOSEPH WILSON MCGOWAN III MEMORIAL HIGHWAY" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THESE WORDS.
Summary
H5176 is a concurrent resolution requesting the South Carolina Department of Transportation to designate a section of U.S. Highway 76 (Hillcrest Drive) in the City of Laurens, from North Harper Street to Hillcrest Square, as the "Judge Joseph Wilson McGowan III Memorial Highway." The resolution also asks that appropriate signs or markers be erected at the location to reflect the honorary naming.
The measure is commemorative rather than regulatory: it does not create a new program, alter criminal or civil law, or appropriate funds. Instead, it expresses the General Assembly’s intent that the Department of Transportation honor Judge Joseph Wilson McGowan III, a longtime Laurens-area attorney, public official, and family court judge, by placing memorial signage on the roadway segment.
Impact
If carried out by the Department of Transportation, the resolution would result in an honorary highway naming and installation of memorial signs on a specified portion of U.S. Highway 76 in Laurens County. It would not change traffic rules, property rights, or court procedures, but it would direct state attention and potentially limited DOT resources toward signage and route designation for a local memorial tribute.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the bill appears strongly positive and respectful. The resolution is framed as a tribute to Judge McGowan’s public service, legal career, and community ties, and the bill was adopted with concurrence, indicating no recorded opposition in the available history. The tone of the measure is ceremonial and appreciative rather than partisan or policy-driven.
Contention
There is little to no apparent contention in the available record. Because the bill is a memorial highway resolution, any disagreement would likely be limited to routine questions about signage, location, or DOT implementation rather than the substance of the tribute itself. No committee debate or recorded votes are provided, and the final action suggests the measure moved through without notable resistance.