Georgia CommonsHB 303: Original 33 Memorial Act; enact
Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action May 1, 2025 · Passed
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 303 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Mitchell of the 88th, Lupton of the 83rd, Jackson of the 68th, and Willis of the 55th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, so as to provide for placement of a monument to honor the Original 33; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, in 1868, 33 African Americans, the Original 33, were elected to the General Assembly of Georgia: Senators Aaron Alpeoria Bradley, Tunis Campbell, Sr., and George Wallace, and Representatives Thomas M. Allen, Eli Barnes, Thomas Beard, Edwin Belcher, Tunis Campbell, Jr., Malcolm Claiborn, George H. Clower, Abram Colby, John T. Costin, Madison Davis, Monday Floyd, F. H. Fyall, Samuel Gardner, William A. Golden, William Guilford, William Henry Harrison, Ulysses L. Houston, Philip Joiner, George Linder, Robert Lumpkin, Romulus Moore, Peter O'Neal, James Ward Porter, Alfred Richardson, James M. Simms, Abraham Smith, Alexander Stone, Henry McNeal Turner, John Warren, and Samuel Williams; and
WHEREAS, these men were some of the first Black state legislators in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in September of 1868, the Original 33 were expelled from the General Assembly of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, it is only fitting that the Original 33 be honored and recognized for their pioneering work and suffering for attempting to integrate the General Assembly of Georgia.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state flag, seal, and other symbols, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows: "ARTICLE 8
50-3-130.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Original 33 Memorial Act.'
50-3-131.
(a) There shall be placed upon the capitol grounds of the state capitol building or in another prominent place a monument in honor of the Original 33, the Black legislators expelled from the General Assembly following the end of Reconstruction, subject to the availability of private funds for such purpose.
(b) Unless public safety concerns warrant postponement, such monument shall be procured and placed as soon as practicable."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.