SR499: SR499 Independent Order of Odd Fellows Week; recognize April 20-26, 2025

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes April 20-26, 2025, as Independent Order of Odd Fellows Week, marking the organization's 206th anniversary in North America and its 180th anniversary in Georgia. The resolution notes that April 26 marks the 206th founding anniversary of the fraternity. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Georgia. It does not amend any Georgia statute or create any new legal requirement.

• Formally recognizes April 20-26, 2025, as Independent Order of Odd Fellows Week in Georgia.
• States the historical basis for the recognition, including the organization's 206th anniversary in North America and 180th in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization.
• Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Georgia, a fraternal and charitable organization, is the group named and honored in the resolution. No other Georgians, businesses, or government agencies have any obligations under it.

The resolution has no practical legal effect on Georgians' daily lives. Its significance is purely ceremonial: it gives official Senate recognition to a fraternal organization's anniversary and history in the state.

• The resolved clause designates April 20-26, 2025, as Independent Order of Odd Fellows Week.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the organization.
• The whereas clauses recite the organization's mission and anniversary milestones but create no binding obligations.

1. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)

• ceremonial resolution
• Independent Order of Odd Fellows
• Georgia Senate
• fraternal organizations