--- title: SR 531. Freedom; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr531 cite_as: SR 531, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr531 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr531.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr531/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71946 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/sr530.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr532.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr531.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 531 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-04-02 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Billy Hickman - Max Burns - Ben Watson - Blake Tillery - Derek Mallow text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR531/2025 upstream_id: 2017602 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Southern University - ceremonial resolution - wildlife education - bald eagle mascot --- # SR 531. Freedom; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3617 Senate Resolution 531 By: Senators Hickman of the 4th, Burns of the 23rd, Watson of the 1st, Tillery of the 19th and Mallow of the 2nd 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 S. R. 531 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3617 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 SENATE that the members of this body24 recognize and honor the life and contributions of Freedom, the esteemed live bald eagle25 mascot of Georgia Southern University, and express their deepes t condolences upon his26 passing.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed28 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Georgia Southern29 University.30 S. R. 531 - 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 Senate resolution honors Freedom, the bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University, who died in March 2025, and directs the Senate to send the university a copy of the tribute. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a commemorative statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recounts the story of Freedom, a male Southern bald eagle rescued in 2004 from a nest in Maitland, Florida, where he suffered a permanent beak injury that kept him from being released into the wild. Georgia Southern University then housed him at its Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, where he became a symbol of the school and a fixture at football games, parades, and community events. The resolution formally recognizes Freedom's contributions to wildlife education and to Georgia Southern's identity, expresses condolences on his death on March 29, 2025, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send an official copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and honors the life of Freedom, the bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University. - States the Senate's condolences on Freedom's death on March 29, 2025. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Georgia Southern University. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill. ### Who it affects Georgia Southern University, its students, alumni, faculty, and the surrounding Statesboro community who were connected to Freedom as a mascot and wildlife education ambassador, as well as the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with delivering the resolution. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official, public acknowledgment from the Georgia Senate of Freedom's role at Georgia Southern University and in wildlife education, giving the university a formal record of recognition to keep or display. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Freedom's 2004 rescue from Florida, his permanent injury, and his placement at Georgia Southern's Center for Wildlife Education and Raptor Center. - The whereas clauses describe his public appearances, including flights before home football games and the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade. - The resolved clause formally recognizes and honors Freedom's life and contributions and expresses condolences on his passing. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Georgia Southern University. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-02) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-04-02) - Sponsors: Billy Hickman, Max Burns, Ben Watson, Blake Tillery, Derek Mallow - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71946 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr531.md?full=1