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The House Committee on Transportation offers the following substitute to HR 7:
A RESOLUTION
Dedicating certain portions of the state highway system; and for other purposes.1
PART I2
WHEREAS, Mr. George C. Trulock, Jr., was born in Whigham, Georgia, on July 28, 1952,3
the beloved son of George C. Trulock, Sr., and Dee Trulock; and4
WHEREAS, he was devoted to his hometown and was elected to the Whigham City Council5
at the age of 22 and served many terms on the council before being elected mayor; and6
WHEREAS, Mr. Trulock was a sergeant with the Cairo Police Department and was highly7
regarded by the citizens of his community and state and by local government officials as a8
person of unquestioned integrity and dedication to the sound principles of law enforcement;9
and10
WHEREAS, Mr. Trulock was an expert gunsmith and developed a system that allowed fixed11
choke guns to be converted to accept screw-in chokes which came to be known as12
Tru-Choke; and13
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WHEREAS, he grew his business producing the Tru-Choke from a shop in his home to a14
company with numerous employees producing Trulock Choke Tubes with sales across the15
country; and16
WHEREAS, Mr. Trulock exhibited extraordinary devotion to public service, outstanding17
loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of his duties, and it is18
abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized19
appropriately by dedicating a road in his memory.20
PART II21
WHEREAS, the arc of a community's history is on rare occasions benefited by the public22
service of truly great men; and23
WHEREAS, when these exceptional public servants intersect the arc of a community's life,24
it is appropriate and just that we recognize and memorialize the profound impact of these rare25
and treasured souls; and26
WHEREAS, for the State of Georgia, and especially Madison County, Mr. R. George27
Strickland, Jr., is one such rare and treasured soul, who led a life of successful business28
achievement and devoted public service to his local community and the State of Georgia; and29
WHEREAS, Mr. George was born on September 26, 1945, to Robert G. Strickland, Sr., and30
Mae Ruth Echols Strickland; and31
WHEREAS, other than the time he spent pursuing his education and serving his country in32
the military, Mr. George lived his entire life in Danielsville, Georgia, and learned from his33
parents very early in life the value of hard work and integrity; and34
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WHEREAS, Mr. George attended Madison County High School, where he distinguished35
himself as a member of FFA, a member of 4-H, and captain of the football team, and where36
he was named a Student Superlative for being Most Athletic; and37
WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from Madison County High School in 1963 and then38
continued his studies, first at West Georgia College and then at the University of Georgia;39
and40
WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 with a Bachelor41
of Science in Agriculture; and42
WHEREAS, while at UGA, Mr. George joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he served43
for six years; and44
WHEREAS, after graduating from UGA, Mr. George worked for the Federal Land Bank45
Association; and46
WHEREAS, after three years with the Federal Land Bank, Mr. George struck out to chart his47
own path in what would be a lifetime of distinguished achievement in business and48
community service; and49
WHEREAS, fortunately for the State of Georgia and Madison County, Mr. George decided50
to make his mark as a resident of Madison County; and51
WHEREAS, Mr. George's accomplishments in the business world are too numerous to52
mention, but among his more notable achievements, he founded Madison County Hardware53
and co-founded Georgia Metals with his son, Robert George "Tripp" Strickland, III; and54
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WHEREAS, Mr. George and Tripp also operated Royston Rentals and the Ace Hardware55
Stores in Colbert and Crawford; and56
WHEREAS, Mr. George served his community as a member of the Danielsville City Council57
for eight years (where he served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years), the Madison County Tax58
Equalization Board, and the Madison County Board of Education, where he served for 1259
years; and60
WHEREAS, Mr. George was also an integral part of the civic community in Madison61
County; and62
WHEREAS, Mr. George served on the board of directors of the Madison County Chamber63
of Commerce, was the charter president of the Madison County Jaycees, and was the charter64
president of the Madison County Cattlemen's Association; and65
WHEREAS, due in part to his great concern for the youth of his community, he served as an66
Assistant Scout Master and coached recreational league sports for many years; and67
WHEREAS, Mr. George also received numerous honors and awards for his selfless devotion68
to his community; and69
WHEREAS, in recognition of a lifetime of successful entrepreneurship and dedicated service70
to his community, he was named Northeast Georgia Businessman of the Year in 2000, and71
the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. George with its Lifetime72
Achievement Award in 2021; and73
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WHEREAS, Mr. George was a member of Leadership Georgia's Class of 1977 and Master74
of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge; and75
WHEREAS, Mr. George loved the Lord and, as a testament of his profound faith, was a76
dedicated member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church, where he served as an ordained deacon,77
and was a member of Gideon's International; and78
WHEREAS, while he was making his mark in business as young man, Mr. George met the79
love of his life, Autumn Farmer Strickland, and they were married on June 27, 1976; and80
WHEREAS, Mr. George and Autumn were blessed with two children, Robert George81
"Tripp" Strickland, III, and Amanda Strickland; a daughter-in-law, Carlton (married to82
Tripp); and three grandchildren - Emily Strickland, Robert G. Strickland, IV, and Henry83
Strickland; and84
WHEREAS, despite a distinguished career and a great love of the Lord, his farm, and his85
community, Mr. George's greatest joy was his family; and86
WHEREAS, Mr. George's earthly life journey ended on April 13, 2024, surrounded by his87
family; and88
WHEREAS, Mr. George was a true gentleman to all he met and will be greatly missed; and89
WHEREAS, such a distinguished business career and steadfast devotion to public service has90
been of immense benefit to the State of Georgia and Madison County; and91
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WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished92
Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating in his honor a bridge in his beloved93
Madison County.94
PART III95
WHEREAS, Dr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr., has long been recognized for his expertise as a96
mortician and funeral director and the compassionate role he has played during the most97
difficult time of a family's life; and98
WHEREAS, Dr. Levett and his wife, Betty, founded the world renowned Gregory B. Levett99
& Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory in 1980, growing the business to serve over 2,300100
families a year, employing 175 full and part-time employees, with four locations and an101
off-site crematory; and102
WHEREAS, Dr. Levett began mastering the art of funeral service at a young age after being103
introduced to the industry by his father, the late George W. Levett, Sr.; and104
WHEREAS, the Levett legacy of providing traditional, thoughtful, and dignified funeral105
services spans over four generations, with Dr. Levett passing on his knowledge and love of106
caring for others to his children, Gregory Bernard, Jr., T. Lanier, and Deana, who are all107
active in the daily operations of the business; and108
WHEREAS, his leadership and guidance have been instrumental to numerous organizations,109
including the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Georgia Funeral110
Service Practitioners Association, DeKalb Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, City111
of Decatur Public School Board Council, NAACP, Salem Gate Merchants Association,112
DeKalb Parks and Recreation Committee Board of Directors, Scottdale Planning Council,113
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South DeKalb Business League, as well as the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, Gwinnett114
Chamber of Commerce, Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Hispanic115
Chamber of Commerce; and116
WHEREAS, Dr. Levett has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including117
a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama for his volunteer services,118
Funeral Director of the Year from American Funeral Director Magazine in 2015, and the119
Robert H. Miller Funeral Director of the Year in 2023; and120
WHEREAS, the Levett family has donated over $2 million to institutions of higher learning,121
churches, hospitals, charities, and community organizations, with Emory Hillandale Hospital122
dedicating a reception area of the emergency department to honor Dr. Levett and his wife;123
and124
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the extraordinary accomplishments of125
this distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating a road in his honor.126
PART IV127
WHEREAS, Mr. Johnny Floyd has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the128
vital role that he has played in leadership and his deep personal commitment to the welfare129
of the citizens of Georgia; and130
WHEREAS, Mr. Floyd completed Forest Ranger School at the University of Florida, had a131
long career in forestry at the St. Regis Paper Company, and started a family timber business132
in Cordele, Georgia, in 1969 called Floyd Timber Company; and133
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WHEREAS, he served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for 19 years,134
representing the citizens of Crisp, Dooly, and Pulaski counties and parts of Houston County;135
served as vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee; and served as a member136
of the House Appropriations, Banks and Banking, and Motor Vehicles committees; and137
WHEREAS, upon completion of his service with the General Assembly, Mr. Floyd dedicated138
15 years to the State Transportation Board representing the constituents of Congressional139
District 2 which is the largest congressional district by land area and includes 29 counties;140
and141
WHEREAS, during his tenure with the State Transportation Board, Mr. Floyd has focused142
on economic development for rural Georgians, mobility for commuters in urban areas, and143
the development of freight routes for Georgia's ports and logistics industry; and144
WHEREAS, Mr. Floyd has previously held the roles of chairman, vice chairman, and145
secretary of the State Transportation Board; is currently a member of several board146
committees that help guide the direction of Georgia's transportation network, including the147
Statewide Transportation Planning/Strategic Planning, Administrative, and Legislative148
committees; and serves as chairman of the Intermodal committee; and149
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished150
Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating an interchange in his honor.151
PART V152
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL153
ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of State Route 38/Highway 84 from the East154
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Whigham City Limit to the West Whigham City Limit in Grady County is dedicated as the155
George C. Trulock, Jr. Memorial Highway.156
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the bridge on U.S. Highway 29/ State157
Route 8 over South Fork Broad River in Madison County is dedicated as the R. George158
Strickland, Jr. Memorial Bridge.159
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the portion of State Route 155 from160
I-285 to Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County is dedicated as the Dr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr.161
Parkway.162
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ENACTED that the interchange of Interstate 75 and163
US 280 in Crisp County is dedicated as the Honorable Johnny Floyd Interchange.164
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and165
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities named in this166
resolution.167
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized168
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the169
Department of Transportation; to Dr. Gregory B. Levett, Sr., and Mr. Johnny Floyd; and to170
the families of Mr. George C. Trulock, Jr., and Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr.171
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