SR 1043: America 250 Day; recognize April 1, 2026

Senate Resolution 1043

By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Walker III of the 20th, Robertson of the 29th, Setzler of the 37th and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing April 1, 2026, as America 250 Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, a historic moment that established the United States of America as a nation founded on the principles of freedom, liberty, and justice for all; and

WHEREAS, in its 250 years of growth and development, the United States has charted a unique path in the history of civilization, remaining committed to the rights of the individual and a representative system of government built on checks and balances that has weathered and celebrated two and a half centuries of human struggle, challenge, cultural evolution, and new births of freedom; and

WHEREAS, in that rich and storied history, the State of Georgia has played a key role in the growth of the United States, from a loose collection of colonies to the greatest nation on earth; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of James Oglethorpe, Georgia became the 13th and final colony established by the British Empire in 1732; and

WHEREAS, the City of Savannah was established in 1733 as the first settlement of the Georgia colony and remains one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, including serving as the state's first capital; and

WHEREAS, Georgia contributed three signatories to the Declaration of Independence, including Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton; and

WHEREAS, Georgia became the fourth state admitted to the Union upon its unanimous ratification of the Constitution during a special legislative session in 1788, held in Augusta, the state's second capital; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has produced countless historical and culturally significant figures who have not only shaped the South and the United States but also influenced the entire world—from legendary civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. to world-renowned entertainers like Otis Redding and many others who have contributed to the state's rich cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has thus far produced one President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, who was elected the 39th President and continued his humanitarian efforts following his time in office; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has established itself as a cultural and athletic beacon for the whole world, hosting the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, which will soon become only one of two American cities to host both the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup with the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer, while also hosting the annual Masters Tournament in Augusta and setting itself apart as the capital of college football; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is a thriving business and economic hub, serving as the No. 1 state for business and the proud home of both internationally recognized brands and thousands of small businesses that are critical to communities and our state, as well as assets such as the world's most utilized airport; and

WHEREAS, Georgia's No. 1 industry has always been and remains agriculture, with many crops now synonymous with the state, including peaches, peanuts, Vidalia onions, blueberries, cotton, and more, as well as industries such as forestry and poultry.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize April 1, 2026, as America 250 Day at the state capitol in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.