24 LC 112 2039 House Resolution 1078 By: Representatives Townsend of the 179 th , Sainz of the 180 th , DeLoach of the 167 th , McDonald of the 26 th , and Burchett of the 176 th A RESOLUTION Honoring the 100th anniversary of the F.J. Torras Causeway; and for other purposes. 1 WHEREAS, July 11, 2024, marks the 100th anniversary of the F.J. Torras Causeway, a2 system of roads and bridges that connects Brunswick to St. Simons Island; and3 WHEREAS, before the construction of the F.J. Torras Causeway, access to St. Simons Island4 was limited to steam-powered ferries, restricting the island's population and development and5 hindering its growth and economic potential; and6 WHEREAS, Fernando J. Torras, a Brunswick native and Georgia Tech-educated engineer,7 led the pioneering survey of the marshes under commission from Brunswick Mayor Malcolm8 McKinnon and the Glynn County Board of Commissioners, during which he located a9 feasible route and designed the original system of roads and bridges that would become the10 F.J. Torras Causeway; and11 WHEREAS, under Fernando's visionary leadership, this monumental project was constructed12 and completed in an unprecedented one year and one month, representing an extraordinary13 feat of engineering; and14 H. R. 1078 - 1 - 24 LC 112 2039 WHEREAS, the official opening of the causeway on July 11, 1924, was celebrated by the 15 crossing of more than 5,500 vehicles, marking the largest celebration in Brunswick's history16 and heralding a new era of accessibility and opportunity for St. Simons Island and its17 surrounding areas; and18 WHEREAS, the ensuing century witnessed the birth and growth of numerous businesses,19 residential developments, and tourism opportunities, including the Sea Island Company,20 King & Prince Hotel, and St. Simons Airport; and21 WHEREAS, the collective efforts of Glynn County, the City of Brunswick, the Golden Isles22 Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, the23 Golden Isles Development Authority, the Department of Transportation, and The Torras24 Foundation in planning a Centennial Celebration on July 13, 2024, symbolize the unity and25 ongoing commitment of the community to honor its history and look forward to a prosperous26 future.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28 the members of this body honor the 100th anniversary of the F.J. Torras Causeway for its29 impact on the citizens of Glynn County and extend to them this body's best wishes for future30 health, happiness, and prosperity.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the33 public and the press.34 H. R. 1078 - 2 -