Georgia CommonsHR 1671: Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection; Chatham County; dedicate
Last action March 18, 2026 · House Second Readers
A Georgia House resolution would name the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25 (US-17) in Chatham County after Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr., a longtime Savannah pastor and community leader.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution honors Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr., who led Connor's Temple Baptist Church in Savannah starting in 1974 and helped organize the city's first Martin Luther King Jr. observance events and parade. It recounts his education, his decades of ministry, and awards he received for community service. The resolution's operative effect is to officially dedicate the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25 (US-17) in Chatham County as the Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection. It directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to put up and maintain signs marking the dedication, and it directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and to the Department of Transportation.
What the bill does
- Formally dedicates the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25 (US-17) in Chatham County as the Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection.
- Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the memorial intersection.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and the Department of Transportation.
- Recites Mitchell's biography, ministry, and community honors as the basis for the honorary dedication.
Who it affects
The resolution most directly affects the Georgia Department of Transportation, which must install and maintain signage, and Chatham County residents and travelers who use the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25. It also recognizes Reverend Mitchell's family and the Connor's Temple Baptist Church community in Savannah.
Why it matters
The resolution creates a lasting public marker honoring a Savannah religious and civic leader, giving the Department of Transportation a concrete duty to post signage. Beyond the signage requirement, it carries no regulatory or funding effect on Georgians generally.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses detail Reverend Mitchell's life, education at Benedict College and the Interdenominational Theological Center, and leadership at Connor's Temple Baptist Church starting in 1974.
- The operative dedication clause names the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25 (US-17) in Chatham County as the Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection.
- A further resolved clause authorizes and directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the dedication.
- A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and the Department of Transportation.
From the bill
“the intersection of State Route 307 and State Route 25 (US-17) in Chatham County is dedicated as the Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection”
“the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the Reverend Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. Memorial Intersection”
Status timeline
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
- Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
Topics
- memorial dedication
- Chatham County
- Savannah history
- road naming
- Department of Transportation