HR 811: Rev. Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr. Memorial Bridge; Chatham County; dedicate

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Reverend Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr., a South Carolina born pastor who led Connor's Temple Baptist Church in Savannah for more than five decades. It recounts his education, his church leadership, his role in renovating the historic McKelvy-Powell Building, and several awards he received during his career. The operative part of the resolution directs that the bridge on State Route 405 over State Route 204 in Chatham County be dedicated as the Rev. Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr. Memorial Bridge. It instructs the Georgia Department of Transportation to put up and maintain signs marking the dedication, and directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and to the Department of Transportation.

• Dedicates the bridge on State Route 405 over State Route 204 in Chatham County as the Rev. Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr. Memorial Bridge.
• Directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain signs marking the bridge's new name.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and to the Department of Transportation.

The resolution mainly affects the Georgia Department of Transportation, which must post and maintain the memorial signage, and the family and community of Reverend Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell, Jr., particularly members of Connor's Temple Baptist Church and residents of Chatham County who use the bridge.

The change is symbolic rather than regulatory: it does not alter traffic rules, funding, or infrastructure beyond requiring new signage. It gives lasting public recognition to a Savannah religious leader by attaching his name to a well traveled bridge in Chatham County.

• Recites Reverend Mitchell's biography, education, and decades of leadership at Connor's Temple Baptist Church in Savannah.
• Operative clause dedicates the bridge on State Route 405 over State Route 204 in Chatham County in his memory.
• Directs the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain appropriate signs for the dedication.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to Mitchell's family and the Department of Transportation.

1. 2025-03-28House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-27House Hopper (House)

• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)Primary sponsor

• bridge dedication
• Chatham County
• Savannah history
• memorial resolution