January 23, 2011
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) - A Columbia man is pushing to get the birthday of the late actress and singer Eartha Kitt recognized in the state she was born.
Sheldon Rice started talking to South Carolina legislators shortly after Kitt died in December 2008.
He says Kitt was a world-renowned entertainer and it is a shame she isn't better remembered in her home state.
State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter has introduced legislation to make Kitt's birthday on Jan. 17 "Eartha Kitt Day" in the state. The Orangeburg Democrat says that would give the entertainer recognition without making her birthday a state holiday.
Kitt was born on a farm just outside of the Orangeburg County town of North in 1927.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
