House Resolution 427
By: Representatives Werkheiser of the 157th and Meeks of the 178th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Dr. Esco Hall, Jr., and dedicating a road in his memory; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, Dr. Esco Hall, Jr., was born into a sharecropping family in Wheeler County,
Georgia, and graduated as valedictorian of his 1966 class at Wheeler County High School;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hall's love of agriculture began at a young age through his involvement
with the New Farmer's Association and Future Farmer's Association, leading him to become
one of the first two black students to graduate with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from
the University of Georgia in 1973; and
WHEREAS, he served counties across southeast Georgia as a large and small animal
veterinarian for over 46 years as the sole proprietor of Appling Animal Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hall made history once again in 1982 by being elected the first black city
councilmember of Baxley City Council, a post he held for 36 years until his untimely passing
in 2019; and
WHEREAS, he diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time,
talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced
dramatically by his superlative service as mayor pro tem for the last 12 years of his service
on the city council; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hall embodied the spirit of service and it is abundantly fitting and proper
that this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be recognized appropriately by dedicating
a road in his memory.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of State Route 15 from mile point 76.17 to
76.716 in Appling County is dedicated as the Dr. Esco Hall, Jr. Highway.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the Dr. Esco Hall, Jr. Highway.
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 Dr. Esco Hall, Jr., and to the Department of Transportation.