--- title: SR 573. Flat Creek Baptist Church; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr573 cite_as: SR 573, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr573 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr573.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr573/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72207 date: 2026-01-15 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/sr572.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr574.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr573.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 573 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-15 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Marty Harbin - Drew Echols - Max Burns - Chuck Payne - Shawn Still - Matt Brass - Russ Goodman - Sam Watson - Kay Kirkpatrick text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR573/2025 upstream_id: 2080498 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - ceremonial resolution - Georgia Senate - church anniversary - community recognition --- # SR 573. Flat Creek Baptist Church; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 573 By: Senators Harbin of the 16th, Echols of the 49th, Burns of the 23rd, Payne of the 54th, Still of the 48th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Flat Creek Baptist Church on the occasion of its 200th anniversary; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the seeds which were sown by the loving and humble efforts of the devoted original worshipers of Flat Creek Baptist Church have blossomed, establishing a rich tradition and history; and WHEREAS, organized on August 31, 1826, by Pastor James Head, Flat Creek Baptist Church has grown under the divine direction of numerous pastors over the years, allowing the Word of God to spread throughout the community; and WHEREAS, the congregation of this church has compiled an unparalleled record of constructive, compassionate, and humanitarian service which it demonstrates daily through open minds, open hearts, and open doors; and WHEREAS, the members of Flat Creek Baptist Church have a sincere desire to serve the Lord and are wholeheartedly committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, the story of Flat Creek Baptist Church is one of triumph through the grace and sustaining power of God, and it stands as an immovable witness to the truth that God keeps His promise; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this enduring example of God's message of peace and love be recognized and congratulated for its innumerable good works rendered on behalf of persons in need. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize the rich history of Flat Creek Baptist Church, commend its 200 years of dedicated service to the Lord and community, and extend their warmest best wishes for its continued growth and success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Flat Creek Baptist Church. ## 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 Flat Creek Baptist Church for its 200th anniversary, commending its history of community service and directing that a copy be shared with the church. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It honors Flat Creek Baptist Church, which was organized on August 31, 1826 by Pastor James Head, on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. The resolution states that the Senate recognizes the church's history, commends its two centuries of service to the community, and wishes it continued success. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the church. The resolution does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute. ### What it does - Formally recognizes Flat Creek Baptist Church on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. - Commends the church for its history of community service dating back to its 1826 founding. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the church. ### Who it affects This resolution directly affects Flat Creek Baptist Church and its congregation, who receive the Senate's formal recognition. It has no effect on the general public, other organizations, or Georgia law. ### Why it matters The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It gives the church a formal, public acknowledgment from the state Senate of its long history and community service, but it does not change any rights, funding, or rules affecting Georgians. ### Key provisions - The resolved clause recognizes the church's history and commends its 200 years of service to the Lord and community. - The further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the church. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-15) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-15) - Sponsors: Marty Harbin, Drew Echols, Max Burns, Chuck Payne, Shawn Still, Matt Brass, Russ Goodman, Sam Watson, Kay Kirkpatrick - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72207 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr573.md?full=1