--- title: SR 274. Austell Day; recognize March 25, 2025 collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr274 cite_as: SR 274, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr274 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr274.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr274/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70832 date: 2025-02-27 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 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/sr273.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr275.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr274.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 274 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-27 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Donzella James text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR274/2025 upstream_id: 1986050 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Austell - legislative resolutions - Cobb County - local history --- # SR 274. Austell Day; recognize March 25, 2025 ## Text Senate Resolution 274 By: Senator James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Recognizing March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Austell, Georgia, located in Cobb County and extending partially into Douglas County, was incorporated in 1885 and named after General Alfred Austell in recognition of his efforts to bring major railways to the South; and WHEREAS, General Austell was a prominent businessman who founded the Atlanta National Bank, which later evolved through mergers to become part of Wells Fargo, and his legacy is honored by his elaborate mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Pacific Railway selected Austell as a station depot, positioning it as a crucial dividing point for major railway lines and shaping its development as an important transportation hub; and WHEREAS, today, Austell remains a key player in logistics and freight transportation due to its location along the CSX transportation corridor, facilitating commerce and economic growth; and WHEREAS, Austell is home to Six Flags Over Georgia, one of the most popular theme parks in the Southeast, attracting visitors from across Georgia and beyond and contributing significantly to tourism and the local economy; and WHEREAS, the Cobb County School District serves Austell, providing quality education to students and fostering a strong, close-knit community with access to higher education institutions such as Kennesaw State University in nearby areas; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Austell take great pride in their city's history, economic contributions, and vibrant community, making it abundantly fitting and proper that it be appropriately honored during this special time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol. 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. ## 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 Senate resolution recognizes March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol, honoring the Cobb County city's history and economic role. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a bill that changes state law. It recognizes March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol, honoring the city of Austell in Cobb County (with parts extending into Douglas County). The resolution recounts Austell's history, including its 1885 incorporation, its naming after railroad businessman General Alfred Austell, its role as a rail and freight hub along the CSX corridor, its status as home to Six Flags Over Georgia, and its schools and proximity to Kennesaw State University. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press, but it does not create any new law, funding, or requirement. ### What it does - Formally recognizes March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the Georgia state capitol. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. - Creates no new statute, funding, or legal requirement; it is a symbolic honor rather than a change to Georgia law. ### Who it affects This resolution primarily affects the city of Austell in Cobb County and its residents, who receive ceremonial recognition, as well as the Georgia Senate staff responsible for distributing copies of the resolution. ### Why it matters The resolution has no practical legal effect on Georgians outside of Austell; its significance is symbolic, giving the city public recognition at the state capitol for its history and role in transportation, tourism, and education. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Austell's 1885 incorporation and naming after General Alfred Austell, a railroad and banking figure. - The whereas clauses note Austell's role as a rail hub and its continued importance to freight transportation along the CSX corridor. - The whereas clauses cite Six Flags Over Georgia and the Cobb County School District as key parts of the city's identity. - The resolved clause formally designates March 25, 2025, as Austell Day at the state capitol. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-27) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-02-27) - Sponsors: Donzella James - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70832 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr274.md?full=1