A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HEROISM OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS JOSEPH POPE AND CHARLES SEGARS, WHOSE QUICK THINKING AND STEADY ACTIONS SAVED THE LIVES OF TWO ACCIDENT VICTIMS FROM FIRE.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to honor courageous citizens in the Palmetto State who assist their neighbors in times of crisis and exhibit uncommon heroism, citizens like Clemson University students Joseph Pope and Charles Segars; and

Whereas, on the way home on September 2, 2023, Joseph Pope and Charles Segars saw smoke rising from a black Nissan car that had crashed on a Clemson back road. The two young men, juniors and roommates at Clemson, stopped to help. While Charles approached a nearby bus driver who had called 911, Joseph rushed to the crashed car. Joseph could see that the driver was trapped inside but couldn't get to him. Charles handed his friend a hammer from his truck, and Joseph shattered the driver's window. Together, the roommates pulled the driver to safety; and

Whereas, however, the unconscious passenger remained trapped in the car as smoke was giving way to flames, so Joseph and Charles broke the passenger-side window and pulled the passenger to safety; and

Whereas, their actions that night led to a swarm of recognitions for Joseph, 21, and Charles, 20, including most recently Joseph's acceptance of a prestigious Boy Scout award given only rarely for life-saving actions posing risk of harm to oneself, the Honor Medal With Crossed Palms. Among his recognitions, Charles counts being honored by Kappa Alpha Order; and

Whereas, Joseph Pope, an avid outdoorsman who studies mechanical engineering, is a 2021 graduate of Columbia's Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Charles Segars is a Sumter native and graduate of Wilson Hall. Both young men have been recognized by the city and university police departments. Their response to all the adulation: "We were just being good people" and "I'm glad God put [us] in a position to help other people out"; and

Whereas, with deep gratitude, the South Carolina House commends the outstanding valor of Joseph Pope and Charles Segars in saving the lives of two of our citizens from fire. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the heroism of Clemson University students Joseph Pope and Charles Segars, whose quick thinking and steady actions saved the lives of two accident victims from fire.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Joseph Pope and Charles Segars.

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