HR 539: Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge; Chatham County; dedicate

This resolution honors Nolan Sental Smith, Jr., a Savannah native and football player who won two College Football Playoff National Championships at the University of Georgia before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. It recounts his athletic career and his community work through the Nolan Smith Foundation, which supports young athletes. The resolution's operative effect is to dedicate the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County as the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge. It directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the dedication, and instructs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Mr. Smith and to the Department of Transportation.

• Dedicates the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County as the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge.
• Directs the Georgia Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the bridge's new name.
• Instructs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to Mr. Smith and to the Department of Transportation.

This resolution primarily affects the Georgia Department of Transportation, which must post and maintain signage, and residents and travelers in Chatham County who use the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at Fort Argyle Road. It also formally honors Nolan Sental Smith, Jr.

The resolution changes the name of a specific bridge in Chatham County and requires the state to post signage recognizing Nolan Sental Smith, Jr. It does not alter any laws, funding, or regulations beyond directing the Department of Transportation to install and maintain the dedication signs.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe Smith's football career at Calvary Day School, IMG Academy, the University of Georgia, and the Philadelphia Eagles, plus his charitable foundation.
• The operative resolving clause names the bridge on Interstate 95/State Route 405 at State Route 204/Fort Argyle Road in Chatham County the Nolan S. Smith, Jr. Bridge.
• A further resolved clause directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs for the dedication.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Smith and the Department of Transportation.

1. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor
• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)

• bridge dedication
• Chatham County
• honorary naming
• Georgia Department of Transportation