---
title: HR 1697. City of Lawrenceville; 205th anniversary; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1697
cite_as: HR 1697, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1697
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1697.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1697/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74079
date: 2026-03-12
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1697.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1697
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-12
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Gabe Okoye
  - Samuel Park
  - Ruwa Romman
  - Segun Adeyina
  - Dewey McClain
  - Matt Reeves
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1697/2025
upstream_id: 2133274
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Lawrenceville
  - Gwinnett County
  - local history
  - ceremonial resolution
---

# HR 1697. City of Lawrenceville; 205th anniversary; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 1697
By: Representatives Okoye of the 102nd, Park of the 107th, Romman of the 97th, Adeyina of
the 110th, McClain of the 109th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating the 205th anniversary of the City of Lawrenceville; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the City of Lawrenceville was incorporated on December 15, 1821, just three
years after the creation of Gwinnett County, and it has proudly served as the county seat for
more than two centuries; and
WHEREAS, Lawrenceville is the oldest city in Gwinnett County and among the oldest cities
in the metropolitan Atlanta region, holding a distinguished place in Georgia's history; and
WHEREAS, the city was named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, a naval hero of the
War of 1812, whose final command, "don't give up the ship," has become a lasting symbol
of courage and perseverance; and
WHEREAS, from its earliest days centered around the public square and courthouse,
Lawrenceville has grown from a small agricultural community into a vibrant and diverse city
that balances historic preservation with thoughtful growth; and
WHEREAS, as the county seat of Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville serves as a center of
government, commerce, education, and culture, and the city is home to landmarks such as
the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and a thriving downtown district; and
WHEREAS, Lawrenceville reflects the rich diversity of Gwinnett County and the State of
Georgia and is strengthened by a spirit of inclusion, opportunity, and community that
welcomes all who visit and call it home; and
WHEREAS, today the City of Lawrenceville continues to invest in public safety,
infrastructure, utilities, arts and culture, and community engagement, ensuring a high quality
of life for residents, businesses, and visitors alike; and
WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 205th anniversary of the city's incorporation, a
milestone that reflects generations of leadership, service, and community pride.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body celebrate the 205th anniversary of the City of Lawrenceville and
commend its citizens, leaders, and staff for their continued contributions to the State of
Georgia.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution honors the City of Lawrenceville on the 205th anniversary of its founding in Gwinnett County, celebrating its history as the county seat.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives marks the 205th anniversary of the City of Lawrenceville's incorporation on December 15, 1821. It recounts the city's history, including its naming after naval hero Captain James Lawrence and its role as the oldest city in Gwinnett County and the county seat.
The resolution does not change any law. It formally states that the House of Representatives celebrates the anniversary and commends the city's citizens, leaders, and staff for their contributions to Georgia. It also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and celebrates the 205th anniversary of the City of Lawrenceville's incorporation.
- Commends the city's citizens, leaders, and staff for their contributions to the State of Georgia.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for public and press distribution.
- Creates no new laws, funding, or legal requirements, serving only as a ceremonial statement by the House.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names the City of Lawrenceville, its residents, elected leaders, and city staff. It has no regulatory effect on any other group and imposes no obligations beyond directing the House Clerk to distribute copies.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences. Its practical effect is symbolic: it places the Georgia House of Representatives' official recognition of Lawrenceville's history and anniversary into the public record, which local officials may use for community events or commemorations.

### Key provisions

- The resolution recites the history of Lawrenceville's founding on December 15, 1821, and its status as Gwinnett County's oldest city and county seat.
- The resolving clause states the House celebrates the 205th anniversary and commends the city's citizens, leaders, and staff.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-12)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-03-12)
- Sponsors: Gabe Okoye, Samuel Park, Ruwa Romman, Segun Adeyina, Dewey McClain, Matt Reeves
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74079

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1697.md?full=1