07
LC 96 2023
House
Resolution 28
By:
Representatives Benton of the
31st,
Bearden of the
68th,
Powell of the
29th,
England of the
108th,
Hatfield of the
177th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
the bicentennial anniversary of General Robert Edward Lee's birth; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
Robert Edward Lee, who would become known as one of the most brilliant military
commanders in American history, was born to Revolutionary War hero Henry Lee III
and Anne Carter Lee at Stratford Hall in Virginia on January 19, 1807; and
WHEREAS,
his first military assignment was to Cockspur Island, Georgia, to supervise the
construction of Fort Pulaski for a period of 17 months; and
WHEREAS,
Robert Edward Lee was appointed superintendent of the United States Military
Academy at West Point in 1852 and was considered one of the best superintendents
in the history of the school; and
WHEREAS,
he served in the United States Army for nearly 32 years and was offered the
command of the federal army at the outset of the War Between the States;
and
WHEREAS,
after suffering through a great deal of internal conflict, the general would
ultimately choose to share the fate of his homeland, the State of Virginia,
stating that he could not lift a hand against his own people; and
WHEREAS,
Robert Edward Lee in November, 1861, would return to Georgia as a
brigadier-general in charge of the defenses on the coast of South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida; and
WHEREAS,
following the collapse of the Confederate States of America, he is reported to
have instructed his fellow Southerners, "If it had to be done over again, we
should be compelled to act in precisely the same manner"; and
WHEREAS,
he accepted the position of President of Washington College in Lexington,
Virginia, where he strove to improve the plight of the war ravaged South through
Christian values, education, and the advancement of Southern youth; and
WHEREAS,
Robert Edward Lee died on October 12, 1870, in Lexington, Virginia; and
WHEREAS,
on January 19, 1871, the City of Savannah became the first city in America to
celebrate Robert Edward Lee's birthday as a public holiday and later, in 1889,
the State of Georgia would enact a law to make his birthday a state holiday; and
WHEREAS,
when the late President Gerald Ford officially restored Robert Edward Lee's
citizenship in 1975, the president remarked, "General Lee's character has been
an example to succeeding generations, making the restoration of his citizenship
an event in which every American can take pride"; and
WHEREAS,
this bicentennial commemoration offers an excellent opportunity to enhance
educational programs and encourage historical tourism within the state and will
bring national attention to the legacy of Robert Edward Lee and the State of
Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body does
hereby recognize the year 2007 as the "Year of Lee" and enthusiastically
supports the organization, promotion, and attendance of any appropriate
observances and commemorations in the State of Georgia.
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 Georgia
Divisions of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the
Confederacy, and the Children of the Confederacy.