HR 1171: Georgia Aquarium; 20th Anniversary; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives marking the 20th anniversary of the Georgia Aquarium, which opened in Atlanta in 2005 as a gift from the late Bernie Marcus. The resolution recounts the aquarium's history and highlights its role as a major tourist draw, a source of economic activity in downtown Atlanta, and a hub for STEM education programs for students across the state. It also praises the aquarium's animal research and rescue work, its accessibility efforts including Certified Autism Center status, and its Veterans Immersion Program offering therapeutic dives for veterans and patients from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it simply expresses the House's congratulations and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Aquarium.

• Formally congratulates the Georgia Aquarium on its 20th anniversary through a House resolution with no binding legal effect.
• Commends the aquarium's work in education, animal care, accessibility, and conservation without creating new programs or funding.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Aquarium.

The resolution directly names the Georgia Aquarium and its staff, and references groups it serves such as Georgia students, tourists, veterans through its Veterans Immersion Program, and patients from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center.

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight; it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its main effect is an official, public statement of recognition from the state legislature honoring a well known Atlanta institution.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the aquarium's 2005 opening, its origin as a gift from Bernie Marcus, and its role as a major tourist attraction and economic driver for downtown Atlanta.
• The resolved clause has the House of Representatives congratulate the Georgia Aquarium and commend its work in education, animal care, inclusion, and conservation.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the Georgia Aquarium.

1. 2026-01-29House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-29House Hopper (House)

• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)Primary sponsor
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)
• Butch Parrish (R, HD-158)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)

• Georgia Aquarium
• legislative resolutions
• Atlanta tourism
• conservation and education