SR423: SR423 Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival; commend

This resolution does not change any law. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing the 44th Annual Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival, held March 22 and 23, 2025, at the Georgia International Horse Park. The resolution recounts the festival's history, which began in 1982 after Hideo Ogino of Maxell Corporation of America gifted Yoshino Cherry Blossom trees to the City of Conyers to symbolize friendship between the United States and Japan. It highlights the festival's cultural programming, community partnerships such as the Student Photography Contest and the Georgia Quarter Horse Association's Speed Classes, and its recognition with multiple Southeast Festival and Events Association awards. The Senate formally commends the City of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park and directs that a copy of the resolution be given to the festival.

• Formally commends the City of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park for their work presenting the festival.
• Congratulates the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival on its 44th anniversary in 2025.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the festival.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as a ceremonial resolution.

The resolution directly names the City of Conyers, the Georgia International Horse Park, the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival organizers, and the Secretary of the Senate, who must distribute a copy of the resolution to the festival.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official state recognition of a long-running local festival and its cultural ties to Japan, which can boost the event's public profile and community pride.

• The whereas clauses describe the festival's origin in 1982 from a gift of Yoshino Cherry Blossom trees by Hideo Ogino of Maxell Corporation of America.
• The resolution notes the festival's relocation from Maxell's grounds to the Georgia International Horse Park due to growth in attendance.
• The resolution cites the festival's recognition by the Southeast Festival and Events Association's Kaleidoscope Awards and the Southeast Tourism Society.
• The resolving clause commends the City of Conyers and the Georgia International Horse Park and congratulates the festival on its 44th anniversary.
• A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the festival for distribution.

1. 2025-03-21Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-20Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)Primary sponsor
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)

• Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• Rockdale County
• cultural festivals
• Georgia-Japan relations