Georgia CommonsSR 725: Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium; celebrate dedication
Last action February 9, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution celebrates the dedication of the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium at Fort Benning, honoring the Olympic boxing champion and longtime Army veteran.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia Senate honors Edward Eddie Crook Jr., a Columbus, Georgia native who won an Olympic gold medal in middleweight boxing at the 1960 Rome Games as part of a US Army boxing team that also included Muhammad Ali. The resolution recounts his 30 year Army career, his combat service in Vietnam, his medals including a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star, and his work supporting the Fort Benning boxing program through a training initiative called the Smokers. The resolution notes that on February 27, 2026, a gymnasium at Fort Benning will be dedicated in his honor as the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium. The Senate resolves to celebrate that dedication and honor his life, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family.
What the bill does
- Formally states the Senate's recognition of Edward Crook Jr.'s Olympic boxing win and military career.
- Celebrates the February 27, 2026 dedication of the Edward Crook Jr. Gymnasium at Fort Benning.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Crook's family.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Edward Crook Jr.'s family, who will receive a copy, and honors him personally. It also reflects on the Fort Benning military community and the Columbus, Georgia area connected to his service and legacy.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic and commemorative, formally recording the Georgia Senate's recognition of a local Olympic champion and veteran as a gymnasium at Fort Benning is named for him.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses detail Crook's 1960 Olympic gold medal, his 30 year Army career, combat decorations, and his Fort Benning boxing training program called the Smokers.
- The resolving clause states the Senate celebrates the gymnasium dedication and honors Crook's life.
- A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Crook's family.
From the bill
“at age 31, Eddie was reportedly the oldest United States Army boxer to ever win an Olympic gold medal”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
- Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
- Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
Topics
- Fort Benning
- military honors
- Olympic athletes
- Columbus Georgia
- commemorative resolution