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Senate Bill 279
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th and Anavitarte of the 31st
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state
1
flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to provide for placement of a statue garden known as the2
"Garden of Heroes" in honor of Georgia heroes upon the grounds of the state capitol3
building; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for4
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
(a) The General Assembly finds that Georgia is rich with a diverse array of influential heroes8
who have led, inspired, and shaped our state and the lives of its residents.9
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that a selection of Georgia heroes be10
commemorated in a "Garden of Heroes" statue garden upon the grounds of the state capitol11
building. Georgians to be considered in the selection process to be memorialized in the12
Garden of Heroes may include, but shall not be limited to, Henry "Hank" Aaron, Shirley13
Franklin, Coretta Scott King, Ray Charles, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former14
First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Herman Russell, John Lewis, Johnny Isakson, David Ralston,15
Zell Miller, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Roberto CrÃspulo Goizueta Cantera, Vince16
Dooley, Herman Cain, S. Truett Cathy, Ossie Davis, Maynard H. Jackson, Sam Massell, Sam17 23 LC 54 0206
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Nunn, Alice Walker, Newt Gingrich, Evander Holyfield, Tommy Irvin, George W. Jenkins,
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Martin Luther King, Jr., Brian Kemp, Little Richard, Samuel Jackson, Otis Redding, Jackie19
Robinson, Clarence Thomas, C.T. Vivian, Andrew Young, Benjamin E. Mays, Jesse Hill,20
Bill Elliot, Pastor Charles Stanley, Pastor Creflo Dollar, André 3000, John Wesley Dobbs,21
Ted Turner, C.E. Woolman, Dominique Wilkins, Arthur Blank, Juliette Gordon Low, Paul22
Coverdell, University of Georgia mascot Uga, and Georgia Institute of Technology mascot23
Buzz.24
SECTION 2.25
Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal,26
and other symbols, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:27
"ARTICLE 8
28
50-3-130.29
(a) Subject to the availability of funds, there shall be placed upon the grounds of the state30
capitol building a statue garden known as the 'Garden of Heroes' to honor the contributions,31
memory, and legacy of Georgia heroes.32
(b)(1) Such Garden of Heroes shall be designed, procured, and placed by the Capitol Art33
Standards Commission, subject to final approval by the Garden of Heroes Committee34
composed of the following members of the General Assembly:35
(A) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the36
House of Representatives;37
(B) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;38
(C) Three members of the General Assembly appointed by the Governor;39
(D) The current chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus;40
(E) The current chair of the Georgia Hispanic Caucus; and41 23 LC 54 0206
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(F) The current chair of the Georgia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus.42
(2) The Garden of Heroes Committee established pursuant to this subsection shall stand43
abolished upon placement of such Garden of Heroes.44
(c) No public funds shall be expended for the design, procurement, or placement of such45
Garden of Heroes. Gifts and donations from private individuals, organizations, or46
foundations shall be accepted and expended by the Capitol Art Standards Commission to47
carry out the requirements of this Code section.48
(d) Such Garden of Heroes shall be procured and placed as soon as practicable but not49
before the state has been granted any intellectual property license necessary for purposes50
of this Code section."51
SECTION 3.52
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53