09 LC 28
4634S(SCS)
Senate
Bill 27
By:
Senators Bulloch of the 11th, Heath of the 31st, Hill of the 4th, Pearson of the
51st, Powell of the 23rd and others
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to holidays and observances, so as to create Confederate Heritage and History
Month; to provide for legislative findings; to encourage observances and
celebrations of Confederate Heritage and History Month; to provide for statutory
construction; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and
for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and
observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as
follows:
"1-4-20.
(a)
The General Assembly hereby finds and determines that tourism is a great
economic resource in Georgia; and historical, heritage, and cultural inheritance
are among the tourism industry's most popular attractions. Georgia's
Confederate heritage, physical artifacts and battle sites, and historic events
and persons not only attract visitors, they are potentially of even greater
importance and benefit to our state's economy. Increased development of our
state's Confederate history and heritage as part of the tourism industry will be
enhanced through recognizing, celebrating, and advertising that heritage and
history.
(b)
The month of April of each year is hereby designated as Confederate History and
Heritage Month and shall be set aside to honor, observe, and celebrate the
Confederate States of America, its history, those who served in its armed forces
and government, and all those millions of its citizens of various races and
ethnic groups and religions who contributed in sundry and myriad ways to the
cause which they held so dear from its founding on February 4, 1861, in
Montgomery, Alabama, until the Confederate ship CSS
Shenandoah
sailed into Liverpool Harbor and surrendered to British authorities on November
6, 1865.
(c)
Officials and departments of state, county, and municipal governments, boards of
education, elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities,
businesses, and all citizens are encouraged to participate in programs,
displays, and activities that commemorate and honor our shared history and
cultural inheritance throughout each April during Confederate History and
Heritage Month."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.