HR 1768: Gardner, George "Coach"; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes George "Coach" Gardner, who founded the Georgia Football Officials Association in Atlanta in 1926. It recounts his career: a Georgia Tech football player and team captain, an SEC football official from 1932 to 1948, and the SEC Supervisor of Officials from 1948 to 1970. It also notes his induction into the National Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the National Federation of High Schools Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and credits him with writing the first football officiating mechanics manual in 1933. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends Gardner for his lifetime of work in football and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send him a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends George "Coach" Gardner for his contributions to football officiating.
• Recounts his founding of the Georgia Football Officials Association in 1926 and his career as an SEC official and supervisor.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Gardner.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a commendation resolution.

This resolution primarily affects George "Coach" Gardner, who receives the formal commendation. It also touches the Georgia Football Officials Association and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is tasked with distributing the resolution.

The resolution carries symbolic and ceremonial weight rather than legal effect. It gives official state recognition to Gardner's long career in football officiating and his role in founding a major Georgia football officials organization, but it does not alter any rights, funding, or rules for Georgians.

• The whereas clauses detail Gardner's founding of the Georgia Football Officials Association in 1926 and his career achievements.
• The resolved clause formally commends Gardner for a lifetime of dedication to football.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Gardner.

1. 2026-03-18House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-18House Hopper (House)

• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)Primary sponsor
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-012)
• Victor Anderson (R, HD-010)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)

• high school football
• sports commendation
• Georgia House resolution
• football officiating