--- title: HR 911. Freedom; live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University; condolences collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr911 cite_as: HR 911, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr911 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr911.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr911/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72014 date: 2025-04-02 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 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/hr910.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr912.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr911.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 911 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-04-02 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Jon Burns text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR911/2025 upstream_id: 2019401 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Southern University - bald eagle mascot - commemorative resolution - wildlife education --- # HR 911. Freedom; live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University; condolences ## Text 25 LC 112 3618 House Resolution 911 By: Representative Burns of the 159th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring Freedom, the live bald eagle mascot of G e o r g i a S o u t h e r n1 University; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle, became an integra l part of Georgia3 Southern University in 2004 after being rescued from a nest in Maitland, Florida, where he4 sustained a permanent beak injury that prevented his release into the wild; and5 WHEREAS, with the permission of the United States Fish and Wild life Service, Georgia6 Southern University provided Freedom with a home at the Center for Wildlife Education and7 the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, where he served as a living symbol of the university's8 spirit and commitment to wildlife conservation; and9 WHEREAS, Freedom inspired thousands annually through his majest ic flights at Georgia10 Southern sporting events, including the cherished tradition of soaring over Allen E. Paulson11 Stadium before home football games as well as appearances at th e Savannah St. Patrick's12 Day Parade, commencement ceremonies, and various educational an d community events13 across the State of Georgia and the nation; and14 H. R. 911 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3618 WHEREAS, through his role as an ambassador for wildlife education, Freedom contributed15 significantly to the university's mission by engaging individuals of all ages in learning about16 wildlife care, conservation, and the importance of preserving our natural heritage; and17 WHEREAS, Freedom's presence embodied the strength, resilience, and unity of Eagle18 Nation, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of students, alumni, faculty, and the broader19 community; and20 WHEREAS, on March 29, 2025, Freedom passed away, leaving behind a l e g a c y o f21 inspiration, education, and pride that will be remembered and cherished for generations to22 come.23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that24 the members of this body recognize and honor the life and contr ibutions of Freedom, the25 esteemed live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University, and express their deepest26 condolences upon his passing.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized28 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to29 Georgia Southern University. 30 H. R. 911 - 2 - ## 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 House resolution honors Freedom, the live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University, and offers condolences following his death on March 29, 2025. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives commemorates Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle who served as Georgia Southern University's live mascot since 2004. Freedom was rescued as a young bird from a nest in Maitland, Florida, after sustaining a permanent beak injury, and the university, with permission from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, gave him a home at its Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center. The resolution recounts Freedom's public appearances, including flights over Allen E. Paulson Stadium before football games, the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade, commencement ceremonies, and educational events, and credits him with advancing wildlife education. It formally recognizes his life and contributions and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and honors the life and contributions of Freedom, Georgia Southern University's live bald eagle mascot. - Expresses the House of Representatives' condolences on Freedom's death on March 29, 2025. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University. ### Who it affects This resolution directly concerns Georgia Southern University, its Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, and the university's students, alumni, faculty, and fans, along with the Clerk of the House of Representatives who must distribute the resolution. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official state legislative acknowledgment of a beloved university mascot's death, giving Georgia Southern University's community a formal record of recognition from the state legislature. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Freedom's history: rescued in 2004 from Maitland, Florida, with a permanent beak injury, and housed at Georgia Southern's Center for Wildlife Education with federal permission. - The resolved clause formally honors Freedom's life and contributions and extends condolences on his passing. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Georgia Southern University. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-02) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-04-02) - Sponsors: Jon Burns - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72014 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr911.md?full=1