24 LC 112 2257
House Resolution 1276
By: Representatives Dickey of the 145
th
, Meeks of the 178
th
, Huddleston of the 72
nd
, Corbett
of the 174
th
, Mathis of the 149
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending the Georgia Department of Agriculture upon its 150th
1
anniversary; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, the years immediately following the American Civil War were turbulent for3
agriculture in the State of Georgia, with farmlands in the state neglected, poorly tended, and4
improperly improved; and5
WHEREAS, scientific information concerning sound agricultural practices was not readily6
available to the farmers of this era; and7
WHEREAS, the State Horticultural Society, backed by many farmers, became interested in8
and provided active support for the improvement of agricultural practices in the state through9
the establishment of a state Department of Agriculture; and 10
WHEREAS, at this time, no state in the country had a legally constituted department of its11
government concerned primarily with farming and agricultural problems; and12
H. R. 1276
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WHEREAS, recognizing the need for action to improve agricultural practices in the state,
13
the 82nd General Assembly of Georgia, at its 1874 regular session, enacted HB 438, which14
created the Department of Agriculture; and15
WHEREAS, the balloting on this bill, which was introduced by Edgar M. Butt of Marion16
County, resulted in a tie vote, which was broken by Augustus O. Bacon, Speaker of the17
House of Representatives; and18
WHEREAS, this act was approved on February 28, 1874, by James M. Smith, Governor of19
the State of Georgia; and20
WHEREAS, since the establishment of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, there have21
been 17 commissioners: Thomas P. Janes, John T. Henderson, R. T. Nesbit, O. B. Stevens,22
Thomas G. Hudson, J. J. Connor, James D. Price, J. J. Brown, Eugene Talmadge, George C.23
Adams, Tom Linder, Columbus Roberts, Phil Campbell, Thomas T. Irvin, Gary W. Black,24
and Tyler Harper; and25
WHEREAS, through the dedication, determination, and ability of these commissioners and26
the employees of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the farmers of Georgia have27
received immeasurable assistance in developing agriculture into Georgia's most important28
industry; and29
WHEREAS, the prosperity of thousands of Georgia's families is a result, in large measure,30
of the efforts of the Georgia Department of Agriculture; and31
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the Georgia Department of Agriculture32
be recognized on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its creation. 33
H. R. 1276
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
34
the members of this body recognize and commend the Georgia Department of Agriculture35
upon the grand occasion of the 150th anniversary of its creation and extend best wishes for36
continued service to the farmers of this state.37
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized38
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the39
Georgia Department of Agriculture. 40
H. R. 1276
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