A model of the CSS Planter is displayed at the Charleston Museum, part of a traveling exhibit entitled "The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls", May 2, 2012, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith, File)

Books about Robert Smalls, who will soon be the first African American individual with a statue at the South Carolina Statehouse, are displayed at Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Beaufort, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Chris Barr, a ranger at Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, talks about Robert Smalls' life beside a bust of the man who will soon be the first African American individual with a statue at the South Carolina Statehouse, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Beaufort, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

This image from the Library of Congress Brady-Handy photograph collection shows a portrait of Robert Smalls created between 1870 and 1880. (Library of Congress via AP)

A bust of Robert Smalls, who will soon be the first African American individual with a statue at the South Carolina Statehouse, is displayed Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Beaufort, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

South Carolina state Reps. Brandon Cox, R-Goose Creek, left, and Jermaine Johnson, D-Columbia, right talk about their efforts to honor Robert Smalls, who will soon be the first African American individual with a statue at the South Carolina Statehouse, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)