hr1041.html
06 LC 34 0546S/AP
House Resolution 1041 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Davis of the 109th, Lunsford of the 110th, Watson of the 91st, Mosby of the 90th, Yates of the 73rd, and others

A RESOLUTION

To designate certain portions of the state highway system; and for other purposes.

PART I
WHEREAS, J. T. Williams passed the certified public accountant examination on his first attempt and won an award for scoring the highest grade in Florida; and

WHEREAS, he served on the staff of Price Waterhouse & Company in New York City and went on to head the largest accounting firm in Tallahassee, Florida; and

WHEREAS, he is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Killearn, Inc., a developer of quality golf course communities, including the premier developments Eagle's Landing and Eagle's Brooke, in Henry County, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, J. T. Williams is responsible for bringing the prestigious LPGA professional golf tournament to the Eagle's Landing Country Club, and this annual event has generated tremendous revenue and positive public relations for Henry County; and

WHEREAS, he is the Chairman of the Projects and Planning Committee of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, a member of the Congestion Mitigation Task Force, the former Chairman of Finance of the North Georgia Metro Water Board, the former Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education, a former member of the Hospital Steering Committee in Rabun County, the former Vice-Chairman of Henry County Health Systems, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, he is the General Chairman of the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship, the past Chairman and currently on the executive committee of the Atlanta Regional Business Coalition, the former Chairman of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the past President of the Tallahassee Rotary Club; and

WHEREAS, J. T. Williams is the former Trustee of the Radio and Television Commission and former Trustee of the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the former Trustee of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, the former General Chairman of the North Florida Billy Graham Crusade, the past President of the Bill Glass Prison Ministries, and has taught Sunday school for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, he was awarded the Herman Talmadge Visionary Award by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, honoring the person with vision who has contributed the most to positive growth and economic development in Henry County; and

WHEREAS, he has three sons (Joe, David, and Bert), and 12 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, his presence and developments in Henry County and elsewhere have improved the quality of life and promoted economic prosperity and his life of service to the business, civic, and religious groups in his community is worthy of respect and admiration.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the bridge over I-75 on Eagle's Landing Parkway is dedicated as the J. T. Williams Honorary Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating said bridge. Signs shall be erected on I-75 North, I-75 South, and on each end of the bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to J. T. Williams and the Department of Transportation.

PART II
WHEREAS, the Champion family was one of the founding families of Harris County, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, this family has lived in the vicinity of the Champion Crossroads for generations; and

WHEREAS, members of the Champion family have been outstanding civic and business leaders and have been instrumental in promoting the growth and development of Harris County; and

WHEREAS, the Champion family has embraced and demonstrated the values espoused by the community and has shown a sincere devotion and commitment to Harris County and all of its citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of SR 18 at its intersection with Bethany Church Road and Hasty Road be dedicated as the Champion Crossroads; and the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate markers dedicating the Champion Crossroads.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Department of Transportation.

PART III
WHEREAS, SPC Justin W. Johnson was a member of the United States Army's 1st Cavalry Division, 1st and 82nd Field Artillery serving in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Justin was born on June 25, 1981, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and moved to Rome, Georgia, when he was four years old; and

WHEREAS, he attended West Central Elementary and Glenwood Elementary schools and graduated from Armuchee High in 2000; and

WHEREAS, he joined the United States Army in January, 2002, in reaction to the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, SPC Justin W. Johnson arrived in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 30, 2004, and 12 days later on April 10, 2004, while serving as a gunner on an Humvee, was killed in action when his patrol was hit by a roadside bomb; and

WHEREAS, Justin has been awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Good Citizenship Award by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, this courageous soldier, who in the spirit of the American patriot, volunteered to confront the dangers, privations, and discomforts of wartime service and in the spirit of humanity strived to keep the peace in Iraq with fortitude and steadfast resolve, making us as a nation truly proud; and

WHEREAS, all Americans owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces who risk their lives in the defense of freedom and to secure the blessings of liberty for this nation and other peoples of the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the intersection of SR 53 with SR 140 in Floyd County be dedicated as the SPC Justin W. Johnson Memorial Interchange, and the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate markers dedicating the SPC Justin W. Johnson Memorial Interchange.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the family of SPC Justin W. Johnson and to the Department of Transportation.

PART IV
WHEREAS, Joseph Jones, Sr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 6, 1926, the third of the nine children of Ernest and Carrie Jones; and

WHEREAS, he was educated in the Atlanta Public School System; and

WHEREAS, he fought for his country with the United States Navy and was honorably discharged as Seaman First Class, V-6, on November 28, 1945; and

WHEREAS, in 1945, he was united in marriage to Darnella Shell and to their loving union were born seven children; and

WHEREAS, he was licensed as a minister of the Gospel while a member of Norwood Tabernacle Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, he worked at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for over 35 years and served as a Business Representative for Machinist Local #709; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Jones was active in his community as the PTA President of Clara Maxwell Pitts Elementary School, and was a member of Ashlar Smooth Masons #574; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the contributions of Reverend Joseph Jones, Sr., in the City of Atlanta and in the State of Georgia be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the memory of Reverend Joseph Jones, Sr., is honored and that the bridge located at the point where SR 70 (Bolton Road) crosses I-285 in Fulton County is dedicated as the Joseph Jones, Sr., Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs so dedicating the bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of the late Reverend Joseph Jones, Sr., and the Department of Transportation.