SR 695: Georgia Aquarium; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate honoring the Georgia Aquarium on its 20th anniversary since opening in 2005. It does not change any law; instead it formally recognizes the aquarium's history, starting as a gift to the City of Atlanta from the late Bernie Marcus, and its impact as a major tourist attraction and economic driver in downtown Atlanta. The resolution highlights the aquarium's education programs for students, its animal rescue and conservation research, its accessibility recognitions such as being a Certified Autism Center, and its Veterans Immersion Program offering therapeutic dives for veterans and patients from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center. The Senate directs its Secretary to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Aquarium as a keepsake of the recognition.

• Formally congratulates the Georgia Aquarium on its 20th anniversary and commends its work in education, animal care, inclusion, and conservation.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and deliver a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Aquarium.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement since it is a commendatory resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes.

The Georgia Aquarium and its staff, who receive the formal recognition; Atlanta's tourism and business community, mentioned as benefiting from the aquarium's presence; and Georgia students, veterans, and patients from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center who take part in its programs.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but serves as an official statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing the aquarium's economic and educational role in the state, which may be used publicly by the aquarium to mark the milestone.

• The whereas clauses recount the aquarium's 2005 opening as a gift from Bernie Marcus and its status as a major tourist attraction and economic driver for downtown Atlanta.
• The resolution notes the aquarium's STEM education programs, animal rescue and research work, and accessibility recognitions including Certified Autism Center status.
• It describes the Veterans Immersion Program, which offers therapeutic dives for veterans and has expanded to children from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center patients.
• The resolving clause has the Senate congratulate the aquarium and commend its work in education, animal care, inclusion, and conservation.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Aquarium.

1. 2026-02-05Senate Read and Adopted (Senado)
2. 2026-02-03Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Patrocinador principal
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)

• Georgia Aquarium
• Atlanta tourism
• legislative commendation
• STEM education
• veterans programs