HR31: HR31 R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial Bridge; Madison County; dedicate

25 LC 39 4486 House Resolution 31 By: Representatives Leverett of the 123rd and Powell of the 33rd A RESOLUTION Honoring the life of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and dedicating a bridge in his memory;1 and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the arc of a community's history is on rare occasions benefited by the public3 service of truly great men; and4 WHEREAS, when these exceptional public servants intersect the arc of a community's life,5 it is appropriate and just that we recognize and memorialize the profound impact of these rare6 and treasured souls; and7 WHEREAS, for the State of Georgia, and especially Madison Count y, Mr. R. George8 Strickland, Jr., is one such rare and treasured soul, who led a life of successful business9 achievement and devoted public service to his local community and the State of Georgia; and10 WHEREAS, Mr. George was born on September 26, 1945, to Robert G. Strickland, Sr., and11 Mae Ruth Echols Strickland; and12 H. R. 31 - 1 - 25 LC 39 4486 WHEREAS, other than the time he spent pursuing his education and serving his country in13 the military, Mr. George lived his entire life in Danielsville, Georgia, and learned from his14 parents very early in life the value of hard work and integrity; and15 WHEREAS, Mr. George attended Madison County High School, where he distinguished16 himself as a member of FFA, a member of 4-H, and captain of the football team, and where17 he was named a Student Superlative for being Most Athletic; and18 WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from Madison County High School i n 1963 and then19 continued his studies, first at West Georgia College and then at the University of Georgia;20 and21 WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 with a Bachelor22 of Science in Agriculture; and23 WHEREAS, while at UGA, Mr. George joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he served24 for six years; and25 WHEREAS, after graduating from UGA, Mr. George worked for the F ederal Land Bank26 Association; and27 WHEREAS, after three years with the Federal Land Bank, Mr. George struck out to chart his28 own path in what would be a lifetime of distinguished achieveme nt in business and29 community service; and30 WHEREAS, fortunately for the State of Georgia and Madison County, Mr. George decided31 to make his mark as a resident of Madison County; and32 H. R. 31 - 2 - 25 LC 39 4486 WHEREAS, Mr. George's accomplishments in the business world are too numerous to33 mention, but among his more notable achievements, he founded Madison County Hardware34 and co-founded Georgia Metals with his son, Robert George "Tripp" Strickland, III; and35 WHEREAS, Mr. George and Tripp also operated Royston Rentals and the Ace Hardware36 Stores in Colbert and Crawford; and37 WHEREAS, Mr. George served his community as a member of the Danielsville City Council38 for eight years (where he served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years), the Madison County Tax39 Equalization Board, and the Madison County Board of Education, where he served for 1240 years; and41 WHEREAS, Mr. George was also an integral part of the civic comm unity in Madison42 County; and43 WHEREAS, Mr. George served on the board of directors of the Madison County Chamber44 of Commerce, was the charter president of the Madison County Jaycees, and was the charter45 president of the Madison County Cattlemen's Association; and46 WHEREAS, due in part to his great concern for the youth of his community, he served as an47 Assistant Scout Master and coached recreational league sports for many years; and48 WHEREAS, Mr. George also received numerous honors and awards for his selfless devotion49 to his community; and50 WHEREAS, in recognition of a lifetime of successful entrepreneurship and dedicated service51 to his community, he was named Northeast Georgia Businessman of the Year in 2000, and52 H. R. 31 - 3 - 25 LC 39 4486 the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. George wi th its Lifetime53 Achievement Award in 2021; and54 WHEREAS, Mr. George was a member of Leadership Georgia's Class of 1977 and Master55 of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge; and56 WHEREAS, Mr. George loved the Lord and, as a testament of his p rofound faith, was a57 dedicated member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church, where he served as an ordained deacon,58 and was a member of Gideon's International; and59 WHEREAS, while he was making his mark in business as young man, Mr. George met the60 love of his life, Autumn Farmer Strickland, and they were married on June 27, 1976; and61 WHEREAS, Mr. George and Autumn were blessed with two children, Robert George62 "Tripp" Strickland, III, and Amanda Strickland; a daughter-in-l aw, Carlton (married to63 Tripp); and three grandchildren - Emily Strickland, Robert G. S trickland, IV, and Henry64 Strickland; and65 WHEREAS, despite a distinguished career and a great love of the Lord, his farm, and his66 community, Mr. George's greatest joy was his family; and67 WHEREAS, Mr. George's earthly life journey ended on April 13, 2024, surrounded by his68 family; and69 WHEREAS, Mr. George was a true gentleman to all he met and will be greatly missed; and70 H. R. 31 - 4 - 25 LC 39 4486 WHEREAS, such a distinguished business career and steadfast devotion to public service has71 been of immense benefit to the State of Georgia and Madison County; and72 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkab le and distinguished73 Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating in his honor a bridge in his beloved74 Madison County.75 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL76 ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the bridge on U.S. Highway 29/ State Route 8 over South77 Fork Broad River in Madison County is dedicated as the R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial78 Bridge.79 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and80 directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the R. George Strickland, Jr.81 Memorial Bridge.82 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized83 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the84 family of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and to the Department of Transportation.85 H. R. 31 - 5 -