HR 911: Freedom; live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University; condolences

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle who served as the live mascot of Georgia Southern University from 2004 until his death on March 29, 2025. Freedom was rescued as an injured eaglet in Florida and, with federal permission, lived at the university's Center for Wildlife Education, flying at football games, parades, and community events as a symbol of the school and an ambassador for wildlife conservation. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally states that the House recognizes and honors Freedom's life and contributions and extends condolences to Georgia Southern University on his passing. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the university.

• Formally recognizes and honors the life and contributions of Freedom, the bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University.
• Expresses the House of Representatives' condolences on Freedom's death on March 29, 2025.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Georgia Southern University.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change to the Georgia Code.

Georgia Southern University, its students, alumni, faculty, and the surrounding Statesboro community who knew Freedom as a mascot and wildlife education ambassador, along with the university's Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, which cared for him.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect, but it gives official, public recognition from the state legislature to a figure closely tied to Georgia Southern University's identity and to wildlife education, and provides the university a formal record of that tribute.

• The whereas clauses recount Freedom's rescue in Florida in 2004, his permanent injury, and his placement at Georgia Southern under permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• The whereas clauses describe his public role at football games, the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade, commencement ceremonies, and educational events.
• The resolved clause formally honors Freedom's life and contributions and extends condolences upon his death on March 29, 2025.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University.

1. 2025-04-02House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-04-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Jon Burns (R, HD-159)Primary sponsor

• Georgia Southern University
• bald eagle mascot
• wildlife conservation
• commemorative resolution