Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SR 714: Cole, Jesse and Emily; honor

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 6, 2026 · Passed

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Senate Resolution 714

By: Senators Tillery of the 19th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Watson of the 1st, Mallow of the 2nd, Hickman of the 4th and others

A RESOLUTION

Honoring and celebrating Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia recognizes the extraordinary success and public support of the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball; and

WHEREAS, on February 25, 2016, Jesse and Emily Cole created a national phenomenon– establishing The Savannah Bananas; and

WHEREAS, the Savannah Bananas have sold out every game since 2018, becoming one of the great sports success stories and being recognized nationally as the "Greatest Show In Sports"; and

WHEREAS, using their iconic sports platform, Jesse and Emily Cole, who already serve as foster parents, created Bananas Foster; and

WHEREAS, Bananas Foster is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing families together by celebrating the foster care community while educating and inspiring others to get involved; and

WHEREAS, Bananas Foster, the official nonprofit of Banana Ball, selects a "Bananas Foster Family" (BFF) for a backstage experience at each Banana Ball game; and

WHEREAS, due to the iconic presence and platform of the Savannah Bananas, the need for foster care parents has been featured and promoted in media such as the Today show, ABC News, CBS News, Sports Illustrated, and other national outlets; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has 9,500 children in foster care, and a need for additional foster parents clearly exists; and

WHEREAS, the national attention Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster have engineered has allowed a spotlight to be shown on the foster family need in Georgia and across the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body honor Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster; celebrate the achievements and success of their campaign to raise awareness of the need for foster care parents; and express their gratitude for the investment and focus on the foster care community and the needs of children in Georgia and nationwide.

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 Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball, and Bananas Foster.