SR 701: National Guard Day; recognize February 11, 2026

This resolution is a ceremonial measure passed by the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. Instead, it designates February 11, 2026, as National Guard Day at the state capitol, marking the occasion with formal recognition of the Georgia Department of Defense, which includes the Georgia Army National Guard, the Georgia Air National Guard, and the Georgia State Defense Force. The resolution lists the size and structure of these forces, describes recent deployments including missions in 2025 supporting the Department of Homeland Security at the southern border and in Washington, D.C., and commends service members for their strength, leadership, courage, and service. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available to the public and press.

• Formally designates February 11, 2026, as National Guard Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends the men and women of the Georgia National Guard for their service, without creating any new law, funding, or program.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Documents background information about the size, structure, and recent deployments of the Georgia Department of Defense's military components.

This resolution primarily affects members of the Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard, and Georgia State Defense Force, as well as the Georgia Department of Defense, which is publicly recognized. It has no direct legal or financial effect on other Georgians.

While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it provides formal state recognition of the Georgia National Guard's service, including recent deployments to the southern border and Washington, D.C., which may raise public awareness of the Guard's role and history.

• The resolving clause recognizes February 11, 2026, as National Guard Day at the state capitol and commends Guard members for their service.
• A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.
• The whereas clauses detail the Georgia Department of Defense's structure, including roughly 11,600 Army National Guard soldiers, 2,900 Air National Guard airmen, and 500 State Defense Force volunteers.
• The whereas clauses note 2025 deployments supporting the Department of Homeland Security at the southern border and in Washington, D.C. as part of Joint Task Force-DC.

1. 2026-02-05Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)

• National Guard
• military recognition
• state capitol events
• Georgia Department of Defense