Georgia CommonsHR1653: HR1653 Pearce, Mack Allington; honoring the life and memory; condolences
Last action March 9, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life of Mack Allington Pearce, a longtime Wilcox County watermelon farmer and Army veteran, and offers condolences to his family.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives is a tribute honoring Mack Allington Pearce, who died after a life spent farming in Wilcox County, Georgia. Born in 1935, Pearce farmed thousands of acres for more than 60 years, growing watermelons near Cordele, known as the Watermelon Capital of the World, and won awards including King Watermelon and Georgia Soil Conservationist. He also served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. The resolution recounts his marriage to Betty Willene Pearce and his three children, and praises his character and community ties. It resolves that House members join in honoring his memory and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family. It does not change any Georgia law.
What the bill does
- Formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Mack Allington Pearce.
- Recites his biography, farming career, military service, and family as a matter of legislative record.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Pearce's family.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the family of Mack Allington Pearce, who will receive an official copy, and stands as a symbolic gesture by the Georgia House of Representatives with no effect on the general public or state law.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or policy effect; it is a ceremonial statement of respect. Its practical consequence is limited to providing the Pearce family with an official memorial document from the state legislature.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses detail Pearce's birth, farming career near Cordele, watermelon-growing awards, and Army service from 1957 to 1959 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
- The resolved clause has the House join in honoring his life and memory and expressing regret at his passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to his family.
From the bill
“for more than 60 years, he independently farmed the thousands of acres once6 maintained by his grandfather, growing and selling millions of pounds of watermelons in7 Cordele, Georgia, the "Watermelon Capital of the World"”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Noel Williams (R, HD-148)
Topics
- memorial resolution
- Georgia farmers
- watermelon farming
- veterans