Clarks hill Lake was Named after a near by town, which was named after a Georgia Revolutionary war hero Elijah Clark. Who is buried at a location on the lake. In 1987 Bob Dole U.S. Senator, and South Carolina Representative Butler Derrick in a Joint Resolution robbed this beloved lake, and both State residents, of its name by tacking an amendment onto a foreign relations bill that renamed the lake after a known racist Senator Strom Thurmond without public knowledge, two days before Thurmonds 85th birthday. The Bill was quickly passed through Congress, and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. Strom Thurmond  who gave the longest filibuster against civil rights act of 1957. Ironically Strom Thurmond also had sexual relations with a sixteen year old African American women (16 years old at the time) Carrie Butler. And Ms. Butler gave birth to Essie Mae Washington, putting Mr. Thurmond in an interracial fatherhood at age 22. In which Mr. Thurmond would never publicly acknowledge, his family did come forward after his death at age 100. This not only contradicts this bible toting, family values promoting right, but also his segregationist credo. Unfortunately conflicting State laws in GA, and South Carolina makes it hard to seek out whether Mr. Thurmond had committed sexual assault. It no doubt gives no right for any Monument, State or Federal land nor buildings bear this mans name. There are many more stories of Mr. Thurmond contradicting his own beliefs. But you can do your own research on those issues (very interesting). 

 If we cannot address the many recorded acts of Mr. Thurmond, we can address the manner in which the lakes beloved name which splits South Carolina and Georgia state lines name was changed without public knowledge. Clarks Hill Reservoir was also built by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of Savannah Ga. The changing of this beloved lake by Congress in 1987, both Ga and South Carolina residents expressed disapproval. Not only was the bill not open to public discussion, in 1987 a group of  Ga. Representatives introduced the Bill to change the lakes name back to Clarks Hill once again. However that Bill was unsuccessful and the name remains unchanged on the Federal level. 

It is long over due to remove this mans name from the lake the reservoir and any other buildings or monuments that bear his name. Please take the time to get this petition moved forward as to do the right thing and bring back the rightful name it was originally named after. Many residents of both States still recognize it only by Clarks Hill Lake, and Georgia maps still do the same.

I grew up camping and playing at this lake, and although young, I vividly remember the time this lakes name was changed. It brought great anger and controversy to both Georgia and South Carolina residents. In those days you didn't have such access to information such as many brought in this petition. As time went by, it has remained a concern to me in which the Lakes name was changed and why. After doing research, its appalling knowing on a Federal level this could have happened except back in the "good ol boy" days.

Pleas again take the time to sign this petition to remove this controversial persons name from its lake and Dam on the Federal level.