HR554: HR554 Nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign; 70th anniversary; recognize

This resolution does not change any law. It marks 70 years since the 1954 to 1955 nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign in the United States, which began the eradication of polio, a disease that once caused widespread paralysis and death, mainly in young children. The resolution recounts Georgia's connections to that history, including President Franklin Roosevelt's time seeking treatment at the Warm Springs Institute and the Talmage Memorial Hospital in Augusta (now Medical College of Georgia Hospital) serving as a regional hub for iron lung devices. The House of Representatives formally commemorates the anniversary and salutes the scientists, physicians, public health workers, and parents who contributed to eradicating polio. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally commemorates the 70th anniversary of the nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign that began in 1954 and 1955.
• Recognizes scientists, physicians, public health personnel, parents, and Georgians who contributed to the campaign against polio.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, as it is a commemorative resolution rather than a bill.

This resolution mainly affects the historical record and public recognition; it does not impose duties on any Georgia agency, business, or individual beyond directing the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the public and press.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it publicly memorializes a major public health achievement, the eradication of polio in the United States, and highlights Georgia's historical role through Warm Springs and Augusta's Talmage Memorial Hospital.

• The whereas clauses describe the history of polio and the 1954 to 1955 nationwide vaccination campaign that led to its eradication in the United States.
• The resolution highlights Georgia's role, including President Franklin Roosevelt's treatment at the Warm Springs Institute and Talmage Memorial Hospital's role storing iron lungs.
• The resolved clause has the House of Representatives commemorate the anniversary and salute those who contributed to the achievement.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)Primary sponsor
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Karlton Howard (D, HD-129)

• public health history
• polio vaccine
• Georgia history
• commemorative resolution