SR531: SR531 Freedom; recognize

This resolution is a commemorative statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recounts the story of Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle rescued in 2004 from a nest in Maitland, Florida, where he suffered a permanent beak injury that kept him from being released into the wild. Georgia Southern University then housed him at its Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, where he became a symbol of the school and a fixture at football games, parades, and community events. The resolution formally recognizes Freedom's contributions to wildlife education and to Georgia Southern's identity, expresses condolences on his death on March 29, 2025, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send an official copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University.

• Formally recognizes and honors the life of Freedom, the bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University.
• States the Senate's condolences on Freedom's death on March 29, 2025.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill.

Georgia Southern University, its students, alumni, faculty, and the surrounding Statesboro community who were connected to Freedom as a mascot and wildlife education ambassador, as well as the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with delivering the resolution.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official, public acknowledgment from the Georgia Senate of Freedom's role at Georgia Southern University and in wildlife education, giving the university a formal record of recognition to keep or display.

• The whereas clauses describe Freedom's 2004 rescue from Florida, his permanent injury, and his placement at Georgia Southern's Center for Wildlife Education and Raptor Center.
• The whereas clauses describe his public appearances, including flights before home football games and the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade.
• The resolved clause formally recognizes and honors Freedom's life and contributions and expresses condolences on his passing.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Georgia Southern University.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-31Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)Primary sponsor
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)

• Georgia Southern University
• ceremonial resolution
• wildlife education
• bald eagle mascot