--- title: HR 313. Smith, Nolan Sental, Jr.; inspiring journey and achievements; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr313 cite_as: HR 313, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr313 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr313.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr313/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70538 date: 2025-02-19 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. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr312.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr314.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr313.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 313 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-19 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Carl Gilliard - Ron Stephens - Bill Hitchens - Edna Jackson - Anne Westbrook - Jesse Petrea text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR313/2025 upstream_id: 1976364 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commendation resolution - University of Georgia football - NFL Draft - Savannah Georgia --- # HR 313. Smith, Nolan Sental, Jr.; inspiring journey and achievements; commend ## Text House Resolution 313 By: Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Hitchens of the 161st, Jackson of the 165th, Westbrook of the 163rd, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the inspiring journey and achievements of Nolan Sental Smith Jr.; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Nolan Sental Smith Jr., born on January 18, 2001, in Savannah, Georgia, has shown the world what it means to dream big, work relentlessly, and rise above every challenge in pursuit of greatness; and WHEREAS, from his early days on the football field in youth leagues to his standout performances at IMG Academy and Calvary Day School, Nolan's passion for the game and unwavering determination have been evident in every play he has made, earning him admiration and respect from coaches, teammates, and fans alike; and WHEREAS, Nolan's time at the University of Georgia was nothing short of remarkable, where his relentless work ethic, leadership, and dedication to his team helped secure two College Football Playoff National Championships, a testament to his commitment to excellence and his pivotal role in the success of the Bulldogs; and WHEREAS, Nolan's dream of playing in the NFL became a reality when he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, representing not only his talent but also the power of perseverance, hard work, and faith in himself; and WHEREAS, beyond the field, Nolan is deeply committed to using his platform and influence to make a meaningful impact in his community and beyond, striving to be not only a football player but also a role model, leader, and change-maker who inspires others to dream big, work hard, and give back to those who need it most; and WHEREAS, Nolan has touched countless lives through his dedication to inspiring and mentoring others, particularly through the Nolan Smith Foundation, which uplifts young athletes and provides them with the guidance to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and positively impact their communities; and WHEREAS, Nolan's story is not just one of athletic triumph—it is a testament to the power of resilience and humility as well as the profound impact one person can have on the lives of those around them, especially through his support of his family and their shared journey together. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor Nolan Sental Smith Jr. for his extraordinary accomplishments, heart for service, and unwavering commitment to inspiring others to chase their dreams and make a positive difference in the world; extend their heartfelt congratulations for his outstanding contributions to the sport of football, dedication to uplifting others, and leadership both on and off the field; and wish him continued success and fulfillment in all his endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Nolan Sental Smith Jr. ## 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 formally honors Savannah native Nolan Sental Smith Jr. for his football career at the University of Georgia and the Philadelphia Eagles and for his community work. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, a type of bill that expresses honor or recognition rather than changing any law. It recounts the life and achievements of Nolan Sental Smith Jr., born in Savannah in 2001, from his youth football career through Calvary Day School and IMG Academy, his time at the University of Georgia where he helped win two College Football Playoff National Championships, and his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The resolution also highlights his community involvement through the Nolan Smith Foundation, which supports young athletes. It closes by having the House of Representatives formally congratulate him and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for delivery to him. It creates no new rules, funding, or legal obligations. ### What it does - Formally commends Nolan Sental Smith Jr. for his football achievements and community involvement, with no legal or regulatory effect. - Recounts his athletic career from youth leagues through the University of Georgia and his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles. - Recognizes the Nolan Smith Foundation's work supporting young athletes in the community. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Smith. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Nolan Sental Smith Jr. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is tasked with preparing and distributing a copy of the document to him. ### Why it matters The resolution has no effect on Georgia law, funding, or policy. Its practical effect is symbolic: it creates an official record of the General Assembly's recognition of Smith's achievements, which he receives as a formal keepsake. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses detail Smith's biography, football career at the University of Georgia, and his 2023 NFL Draft selection by the Philadelphia Eagles. - The resolved clause formally honors and congratulates Smith on behalf of the House of Representatives. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Smith. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-19) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-19) - Sponsors: Carl Gilliard, Ron Stephens, Bill Hitchens, Edna Jackson, Anne Westbrook, Jesse Petrea - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70538 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr313.md?full=1