| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3617 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 531 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Hickman of the 4th, Burns of the 23rd, Watson of the 1st, Tillery of the 19th |
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| 4 | 4 | | and Mallow of the 2nd |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing and honoring Freedom, the live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | University; and for other purposes.2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle, became an integral part of Georgia3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | Southern University in 2004 after being rescued from a nest in Maitland, Florida, where he4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | sustained a permanent beak injury that prevented his release into the wild; and5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, with the permission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Georgia6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | Southern University provided Freedom with a home at the Center for Wildlife Education and7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, where he served as a living symbol of the university's8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | spirit and commitment to wildlife conservation; and9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, Freedom inspired thousands annually through his majestic flights at Georgia10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | Southern sporting events, including the cherished tradition of soaring over Allen E. Paulson11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | Stadium before home football games as well as appearances at the Savannah St. Patrick's12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | Day Parade, commencement ceremonies, and various educational and community events13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | across the State of Georgia and the nation; and14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 531 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3617 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, through his role as an ambassador for wildlife education, Freedom contributed |
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| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | significantly to the university's mission by engaging individuals of all ages in learning about16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | wildlife care, conservation, and the importance of preserving our natural heritage; and17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, Freedom's presence embodied the strength, resilience, and unity of Eagle18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Nation, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of students, alumni, faculty, and the broader19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | community; and20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, on March 29, 2025, Freedom passed away, leaving behind a legacy of21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | inspiration, education, and pride that will be remembered and cherished for generations to22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | come.23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | recognize and honor the life and contributions of Freedom, the esteemed live bald eagle25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | mascot of Georgia Southern University, and express their deepest condolences upon his26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | passing.27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Georgia Southern29 |
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| 39 | 39 | | University.30 |
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| 40 | 40 | | S. R. 531 |
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| 41 | 41 | | - 2 - |
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