Georgia 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB303 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/06/2025

                    25 LC 60 0065
House Bill 303
By: Representatives Gilliard of the 162
nd
, Mitchell of the 88
th
, Lupton of the 83
rd
, and Jackson
of the 68
th
 
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 monument to honor the2
Original 33; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting3
laws; and for other purposes.4
WHEREAS, in 1868, 33 African Americans, the Original 33, were elected to the General5
Assembly of Georgia: Senators Aaron Alpeoria Bradley, Tunis Campbell, Sr., and George6
Wallace, and Representatives Thomas M. Allen, Eli Barnes, Thomas Beard, Edwin Belcher,7
Tunis Campbell, Jr., Malcolm Claiborn, George H. Clower, Abram Colby, John T. Costin,8
Madison Davis, Monday Floyd, F. H. Fyall, Samuel Gardner, William A. Golden, William9
Guilford, William Henry Harrison, Ulysses L. Houston, Philip Joiner, George Linder, Robert10
Lumpkin, Romulus Moore, Peter O'Neal, James Ward Porter, Alfred Richardson, James M.11
Simms, Abraham Smith, Alexander Stone, Henry McNeal Turner, John Warren, and Samuel12
Williams; and13
WHEREAS, these men were some of the first Black state legislators in the United States; and 14
H. B. 303
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WHEREAS, in September of 1868, the Original 33 were expelled from the General
15
Assembly of Georgia; and16
WHEREAS, it is only fitting that the Original 33 be honored and recognized for their17
pioneering work and suffering for attempting to integrate the General Assembly of Georgia.18
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:19
SECTION 1.20
Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal,21
and other symbols, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:22
"ARTICLE 8
23
50-3-130.24
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.'25
50-3-131.26
(a)  There shall be placed upon the capitol grounds of the state capitol building or in27
another prominent place a monument in honor of the Original 33, the Black legislators28
expelled from the General Assembly following the end of Reconstruction, subject to the29
availability of private funds for such purpose.30
(b)  Unless public safety concerns warrant postponement, such monument shall be procured31
and placed as soon as practicable."32
SECTION 2.33
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.34
H. B. 303
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