06 LC
37 0119
Senate
Resolution 1090
By:
Senators Zamarripa of the 36th, Brown of the 26th, Mullis of the 53rd, Fort of
the 39th, Rogers of the 21st and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Civil Rights Commission; to provide for creation, composition, membership,
terms of office, officers, and expense allowance of the commission; to provide
for powers and duties of the commission; to provide for designation of civil
rights movement historic sites as the Civil Rights Trail of Georgia; to provide
for interpretation of historic sites under certain conditions; to provide for
assignment of the commission to the Department of Economic Development for
administration purposes only; to provide for the Department of Economic
Development furnish certain personnel to assist the commission; to provide for
an annual report of the
commissiońs
activities; to provide for other matters relative to the commission; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the time is right to commemorate the
statés
role in the civil rights movement by establishing a network of historic sites
and an opportunity to honor the past and ride the coming wave of heritage
tourism; and
WHEREAS,
the civil rights movement in the American South was one of the most significant
and successful social movements in the modern world. Georgians formed part of
this movement for full civil rights and the wider national struggle for racial
equality; and
WHEREAS,
the trail of events touched every corner of the state; from Rome to Savannah are
many historic resources and sites; and
WHEREAS,
the historic sites, museums, and events need to be recognized and established as
the Civil Rights Trail of Georgia and this commission shall be established to
bring about the coordinated efforts to make this a reality; and
WHEREAS,
there is widespread interest to preserve and promote civil rights movement
period historic sites and events and to use these resources to encourage and
support tourism and economic development.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
That
there is created the Civil Rights Commission, hereafter referred to as the
commission, to coordinate, plan, preserve, and promote the Civil Rights Trail of
Geogia which shall contain significant sites associated with individuals and
events of this significant period of our common heritage.
SECTION
2.
(a)
That the commission is directed to:
(1)
Develop a civil rights trail plan. This plan will promote heritage tourism and
provide for currently established sites to work together to promote these sites
as part of the trail;
(2)
Preserve and interpret the legacy of the civil rights movement in
Georgia;
(3)
Recognize and interpret important events and geographic locations in the conduct
of the civil rights movement in the State of Georgia; and
(4)
Encourage the establishment of reference sections relating to the Civil Rights
Trail of Georgia in high schools and encourage heritage education
programs.
(b)
That, in carrying out its purposes, the commission is authorized:
(1)
To accept loans or grants, or both, of money, materials, or property of any kind
from the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof upon
such terms and conditions as the United States of American or such agency or
instrumentality may impose;
(2)
To receive and accept loans, gifts, grants, donations, or contributions of
property, facilities, or services, with or without consideration, from any
person, firm, or corporation or from the State of Georgia or any agency or
instrumentality thereof or from any county, municipal corporation, or local
government or governing body; and
(3)
To hold, use, administer, and expend such sums as may hereafter be received as
income, as gifts, or as appropriations by authority of the General Assembly for
any of the purposes of this commission.
SECTION
3.
That
the commission is assigned to the Department of Economic Development for
administrative purposes only. The commissioner of economic development shall
appoint personnel within the Department of Economic Development to facilitate
the functions of the commission.
SECTION
4.
(a)
(1) That the commission shall consist of 15 members to be appointed as
follows:
(A)
The Governor shall appoint five members;
(B)
The President of the Senate shall appoint five members; and
(C)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint five
members.
(2)
That members shall serve for the one-year existence of this
commission.
(b)
That members of commission shall serve without
compensation.
(c) That members of the commission shall be representative of all the geographic areas of the state and shall be selected from the state at large with special consideration given to appointment of persons associated with those groups or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the civil rights movement and the establishment of a civil rights trail in Georgia.
(d) That the National Black Arts Festival shall be requested to act as a consultant to this commission.
(e) That the commission shall file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly containing a summary of accomplishments, findings, and recommendation, with any suggestions for proposed legislation, if any. Such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006.
(f) That the commission shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.
(c) That members of the commission shall be representative of all the geographic areas of the state and shall be selected from the state at large with special consideration given to appointment of persons associated with those groups or organizations with a demonstrated interest in the civil rights movement and the establishment of a civil rights trail in Georgia.
(d) That the National Black Arts Festival shall be requested to act as a consultant to this commission.
(e) That the commission shall file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly containing a summary of accomplishments, findings, and recommendation, with any suggestions for proposed legislation, if any. Such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2006.
(f) That the commission shall stand abolished on December 31, 2006.
SECTION
5.
That
all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.