HR 1708: W.D. "Don" Ballard Memorial Highway; Newton County; dedicate

This resolution recognizes the life and public service of William Donaldson "Don" Ballard, a Newton County native who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, worked as an attorney for Newton County and several cities, served in the Georgia House and Senate, and later became mayor of Oxford. It lists his career accomplishments as the reason for the honor. The operative part of the resolution dedicates the portion of State Route 81 between East Clark Street and West Richardson Street in Newton County as the W.D. "Don" Ballard Memorial Highway. 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 Ballard's family and to the Department of Transportation.

• Dedicates the segment of State Route 81 between East Clark Street and West Richardson Street in Newton County as the W.D. "Don" Ballard Memorial Highway.
• Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the memorial highway designation.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to Ballard's family and to the Department of Transportation.

The resolution directly affects the Georgia Department of Transportation, which must install and maintain signage, and the family of W.D. "Don" Ballard. It also affects residents and drivers in Newton County who use the renamed stretch of State Route 81.

The practical effect is limited to signage and naming: a specific stretch of state highway in Newton County will carry Ballard's name, giving the Department of Transportation a small maintenance duty and giving the community a lasting public memorial to a local public servant.

• The resolution's whereas clauses detail Ballard's Navy service, his legal work for Newton County and several cities, and his terms in the Georgia House and Senate.
• The first resolving clause dedicates the named portion of State Route 81 in Newton County as the W.D. "Don" Ballard Memorial Highway.
• The second resolving clause authorizes and directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Ballard's family and the Department of Transportation.

1. 2026-03-19House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-16House Hopper (House)

• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)Primary sponsor

• highway dedication
• Newton County
• memorial resolution
• Georgia Department of Transportation