HR 31: R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial Bridge; Madison County; dedicate

House Resolution 31

By: Representatives Leverett of the 123rd and Powell of the 33rd

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and dedicating a bridge in his memory; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the arc of a community's history is on rare occasions benefited by the public service of truly great men; and

WHEREAS, when these exceptional public servants intersect the arc of a community's life, it is appropriate and just that we recognize and memorialize the profound impact of these rare and treasured souls; and

WHEREAS, for the State of Georgia, and especially Madison County, Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., is one such rare and treasured soul, who led a life of successful business achievement and devoted public service to his local community and the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was born on September 26, 1945, to Robert G. Strickland, Sr., and Mae Ruth Echols Strickland; and

WHEREAS, other than the time he spent pursuing his education and serving his country in the military, Mr. George lived his entire life in Danielsville, Georgia, and learned from his parents very early in life the value of hard work and integrity; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George attended Madison County High School, where he distinguished himself as a member of FFA, a member of 4-H, and captain of the football team, and where he was named a Student Superlative for being Most Athletic; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from Madison County High School in 1963 and then continued his studies, first at West Georgia College and then at the University of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, while at UGA, Mr. George joined the U.S. Army Reserves, in which he served for six years; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from UGA, Mr. George worked for the Federal Land Bank Association; and

WHEREAS, after three years with the Federal Land Bank, Mr. George struck out to chart his own path in what would be a lifetime of distinguished achievement in business and community service; and

WHEREAS, fortunately for the State of Georgia and Madison County, Mr. George decided to make his mark as a resident of Madison County; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George's accomplishments in the business world are too numerous to mention, but among his more notable achievements, he founded Madison County Hardware and co-founded Georgia Metals with his son, Robert George "Tripp" Strickland, III; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George and Tripp also operated Royston Rentals and the Ace Hardware Stores in Colbert and Crawford; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George served his community as a member of the Danielsville City Council for eight years (where he served as Mayor Pro Tem for four years), the Madison County Tax Equalization Board, and the Madison County Board of Education, where he served for 12 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was also an integral part of the civic community in Madison County; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George served on the board of directors of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, was the charter president of the Madison County Jaycees, and was the charter president of the Madison County Cattlemen's Association; and

WHEREAS, due in part to his great concern for the youth of his community, he served as an Assistant Scout Master and coached recreational league sports for many years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George also received numerous honors and awards for his selfless devotion to his community; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of a lifetime of successful entrepreneurship and dedicated service to his community, he was named Northeast Georgia Businessman of the Year in 2000, and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. George with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was a member of Leadership Georgia's Class of 1977 and Master of the John H. Jones Masonic Lodge; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George loved the Lord and, as a testament of his profound faith, was a dedicated member of Moon's Grove Baptist Church, where he served as an ordained deacon, and was a member of Gideon's International; and

WHEREAS, while he was making his mark in business as young man, Mr. George met the love of his life, Autumn Farmer Strickland, and they were married on June 27, 1976; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George and Autumn were blessed with two children, Robert George "Tripp" Strickland, III, and Amanda Strickland; a daughter-in-law, Carlton (married to Tripp); and three grandchildren - Emily Strickland, Robert G. Strickland, IV, and Henry Strickland; and

WHEREAS, despite a distinguished career and a great love of the Lord, his farm, and his community, Mr. George's greatest joy was his family; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George's earthly life journey ended on April 13, 2024, surrounded by his family; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was a true gentleman to all he met and will be greatly missed; and

WHEREAS, such a distinguished business career and steadfast devotion to public service has been of immense benefit to the State of Georgia and Madison County; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized by dedicating in his honor a bridge in his beloved Madison County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL

ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the bridge on U.S. Highway 29/ State Route 8 over South Fork Broad River in Madison County is dedicated as the R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the R. George Strickland, Jr. Memorial Bridge.

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 family of Mr. R. George Strickland, Jr., and to the Department of Transportation.