--- title: HR 937. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre; 90th anniversary; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr937 cite_as: HR 937, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr937 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr937.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr937/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72041 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/hr936.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr938.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr937.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 937 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: - Devan Seabaugh - John Carson - Ginny Ehrhart - Don Parsons - Mary Williams - Jordan Ridley text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR937/2025 upstream_id: 2019426 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - historic preservation - Marietta - arts and culture - Cobb County - ceremonial resolution --- # HR 937. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre; 90th anniversary; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3653 House Resolution 937 By: Representatives Seabaugh of the 34th, Carson of the 46th, Ehrhart of the 36th, Parsons of the 44th, Williams of the 37th, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre has proudly stood for 90 years as a3 cultural landmark and architectural gem on the Historic Marietta Square, enriching the lives4 of generations of Georgians; and5 WHEREAS, the Strand first opened its doors on September 24, 1935, as a grand Art Deco6 movie palace with seating for over 1,000 guests, ushering in a new era of cinematic7 entertainment for Cobb County and the surrounding region; and8 WHEREAS, throughout the decades, the Strand has evolved into a treasured gathering place9 for the community, offering entertainment, fellowship, and a se nse of shared heritage for10 audiences of all ages; and11 WHEREAS, thanks to the passion and persistence of the "Friends of the Strand" and the12 generosity of countless donors, the theatre was beautifully res tored and reopened in 2009,13 blending historical preservation with a renewed purpose as a vi brant venue for live14 performances, classic films, and special events; and15 H. R. 937 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3653 WHEREAS, the enduring words etched above the theatre's iconic e ntrance—"A16 MONUMENT DEVOTED TO THE BEST IN MUSIC PHOTOPLAY AND THEATRICAL17 ARTS"—continue to reflect the Strand's mission and impact; and18 WHEREAS, in its 90th year, the Strand remains a cornerstone of the Marietta arts scene, an19 educational partner to local schools and organizations, and an economic engine for the city's20 thriving downtown, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year; and21 WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to commend the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre22 for its remarkable legacy and ongoing contributions to the cultural, artistic, and civic life of23 the State of Georgia.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that25 the members of this body honor the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand26 Theatre; extend their sincerest gratitude to its board, staff, volunteers, and supporters; and27 encourage all Georgians to take part in celebrating this milestone and preserving its legacy28 for future generations.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the31 Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre.32 H. R. 937 - 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 Georgia House resolution honors the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta, recognizing its history and role in the community. ### Plain-language summary This House resolution from the Georgia General Assembly commemorates 90 years of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre on the Historic Marietta Square in Cobb County. The theatre opened in 1935 as an Art Deco movie palace and later closed before being restored and reopened in 2009 through community fundraising efforts by the Friends of the Strand. The resolution formally honors the theatre's anniversary, thanks its board, staff, volunteers, and supporters, and encourages Georgians to take part in celebrating the milestone. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send an official copy of the resolution to the theatre. The measure does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition. ### What it does - Formally honors the 90th anniversary of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives. - Extends thanks to the theatre's board, staff, volunteers, and supporters for their role in its history. - Encourages Georgians generally to participate in celebrating the theatre's milestone and supporting its preservation. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the theatre. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, its board, staff, volunteers, and supporters, as well as the Friends of the Strand organization. It also addresses Georgians broadly by encouraging participation in the theatre's anniversary celebration. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or funding effect, but it gives official state recognition to a historic Marietta landmark, which can boost public awareness, community pride, and support for the theatre's continued preservation and programming. ### Key provisions - The preamble recounts the theatre's 1935 opening as a 1,000-seat Art Deco movie palace and its 2009 restoration led by the Friends of the Strand. - The resolving clause honors the 90th anniversary and thanks the theatre's board, staff, volunteers, and supporters. - The resolution encourages all Georgians to celebrate the milestone and help preserve the theatre's legacy. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the resolution to the theatre. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-02) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-04-02) - Sponsors: Devan Seabaugh, John Carson, Ginny Ehrhart, Don Parsons, Mary Williams, Jordan Ridley - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72041 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr937.md?full=1