sr1055.html

08 SR1055/AP

Senate Resolution 1055

By: Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Thomas of the 54th and Tate of the 38th

AS PASSED

A RESOLUTION

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

PART I

WHEREAS, Joel A. Katz is considered to be a definitive leader in the field of entertainment law; and

WHEREAS, more than 30 years ago, he founded Katz, Smith & Cohen, which became one of the nation´s largest entertainment law firms; and

WHEREAS, his earliest clients included James Brown and a then unknown Willie Nelson and the client roster grew to include B.B. King, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Sheryl Crow, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, James Taylor, Josh Groban, and Brooks and Dunn; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, he merged his firm with the international law firm Greenberg Traurig and took on the position of co-managing shareholder of the Atlanta office; and

WHEREAS, Katz also serves as a music industry representative for the State of Georgia Film, Video, and Music Advisory Commission, appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as the first and only attorney ever to receive that honor; and

WHEREAS, in 2002, he received the "Heroes Award" from the Atlanta chapter of The Recording Academy and Georgia Trend magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential Georgians; and

WHEREAS, Katz received his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1969 and in 1999, the newly constructed law library was named in his honor.

PART II

WHEREAS, Jere C. Ayers, a lifelong resident of Madison County, died on May 13, 2005, at the age of 91; and

WHEREAS, "Mr. Jere," as he was known to all, was a uniquely dedicated and valued citizen of Madison County whose contributions to the public good and civic life of the county are too numerous to list in their entirety; and

WHEREAS, among Mr. Jere´s accomplishments are his service in the United States Navy during World War II; his lifelong work in journalism, beginning with his employment as a youth at The Comer News, which his parents purchased in 1914 and of which he became owner and publisher in 1945, and his later service as the owner and publisher of Madison County Newspapers, Inc., The Comer News, and the Danielsville Monitor; his dedication to the Meadow Baptist Church where he served over 50 years as a deacon and 23 years as Sunday school director; his over 50 years of service as a Mason, Scottish Rite and York Rite; his 67 years with the Woodsmen of the World; his charter membership in the Madison County Rotary Club; his membership in the American Legion since World War II; his charter membership in the Comer Lions Club which honored him with its 50 Year Award; his service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in the 1950´s; being the recipient of the 50 Year Medallion from the Georgia Press Association for 50 years of service to the newspaper industry; his service as a board member of the Madison County Library until his retirement; and his critical role in the acquisition of the Watson Mill Bridge State Park land; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jere will be greatly missed by the citizens of Madison County for the vital role that he played in the county and for his stellar example of public service and commitment; and

WHEREAS, he diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community, state, and nation; and

WHEREAS, his significant organizational and leadership talents, his remarkable patience and diplomacy, his keen sense of vision, and his sensitivity to the needs of the citizens of his nation earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and associates; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and it is only fitting and proper that a lasting memorial should be named in his honor.

PART III

WHEREAS, the American Camellia Society has been in existence for over 60 years and is recognized as the leading camellia organization in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Director, Sandra Byrd, the staff, and the National Board of the American Camellia Society are proud of the contributions of all who have given of their time and support to the facility since its establishment in 1968 through a generous gift of 160 acres by the late Dr. Dave Strother; and

WHEREAS, the purposes of this nonprofit corporation, as stated in its articles of incorporation, are to promote interest in the genus Camellia L., scientific research in its culture, standardization of its varietal names, certification of new varieties, dissemination of information concerning the above, creation of a foundation to further these purposes, and promotion of the organization and affiliation of local Camellia Societies in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the American Camellia Society is to be a self-sufficient, national membership society committed to continually building its membership through offering world-class products, leading in camellia research and education, and being supported by efficient and effective organizational systems; and

WHEREAS, the American Camellia Society also owns and maintains a self-sufficient, public garden at Massee Lane in Fort Valley, Georgia, serving camellia lovers nationally as well as residents of the region and tourists; and

WHEREAS, during its 40 years of existence at Massee Lane Gardens, the society has provided a public garden, which has enriched the lives of countless Georgians and tourists who have visited the grounds in Peach County.

PART IV

WHEREAS, the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Nevada, and Arizona have already dedicated the portions of US 80 within their borders in honor of the veterans of the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, US 80 runs from Columbus to Savannah, spanning the entire state of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of men and women served in the Korean War and over 34,000 died and over 100,000 were wounded in combat; and

WHEREAS, despite the bitter cold and torturous terrain, these young Americans were the first to stand up against the threat of Communism; and

WHEREAS, many citizens of the State of Georgia bravely fought in the Korean War, proudly serving their country as members of the armed forces, with many suffering injury and loss of life and limb as a result of their service; and

WHEREAS, Georgia takes great pride in these brave and honorable men and women who demonstrated their love for this country through their service; and

WHEREAS, the many Georgia veterans who served in the armed forces of this nation during the Korean War distinguished themselves and contributed substantially to this state in other ways as well; and

WHEREAS, this tribute to Georgia´s Korean War veterans is long overdue and it is only fitting that this state honor them with this lasting memorial.

PART V

WHEREAS, Justice Clarence Thomas was born June 23, 1948, in Pin Point, Georgia, an enclave of 500 inhabitants south of Savannah on the Moon River. Named after the plantation that once stood on the land, Pin Point was divided up after the Civil War and given to the former slaves. It is easy to miss the tiny community where Clarence Thomas once lived; however, there is a sign at the turnoff noting that he was born there; and

WHEREAS, Justice Thomas was the second child and first son of Leola Williams and M. C. Thomas. His father abandoned the family when Thomas was two. After the wooden house they lived in burned down and their mother remarried, Thomas and his brother went to live with their grandfather, Myers Anderson, in Savannah; and

WHEREAS, Anderson had a profound influence on Thomas´s upbringing and character. In a time when African Americans were forced to the backs of buses, banned from restaurants, and denied employment opportunities, Anderson decided the only way to beat racism was to work for himself. As a result, he was able to provide his grandsons with a comfortable home, including things most people take for granted, such as three meals a day and indoor plumbing; and

WHEREAS, Anderson admonished his grandsons to work hard in school. After school, Thomas and his brother worked for their grandfather making fuel deliveries. Thomas often recalls how his grandparents had impressed on him that "school, discipline, hard work and 'right-from-wrong' were of the highest priority"; and

WHEREAS, Justice Thomas married Virginia Lamp, May 30, 1987, and they had one child, Jamal Adeen; and

WHEREAS, after high school, he attended Conception Seminary, 1967-1968; Holy Cross College, A.B. cum laude, Alpha Sigma Nu, Purple Key; and Yale Law School, J.D., 1974; and

WHEREAS, he was nominated by President Bush as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and took oath of office October 23, 1991; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that Justice Clarence Thomas, who rose from humble beginnings through hard work and discipline, be honored for his great achievements.

PART VI

WHEREAS, PFC Robert Adrian Worthington, 19, of Jackson, Georgia, was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), based in Fort Lewis, Washington; and

WHEREAS, he died on May 22, 2007, in Taji, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit; and

WHEREAS, this courageous soldier, in the spirit of the American patriot, confronted the dangers, privations, and discomforts of wartime service with 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.

PART VII

WHEREAS, William Harvey Jewell, Sr., served in the United States Army and was a combat veteran of the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, William Harvey Jewell, Sr., was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, the Korean Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman´s Badge for his service in Korea; and

WHEREAS, following the Korean war, he returned to this area and served as Chief of Police in Willacoochee and Pearson before his passing in 1992; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor William Harvey Jewell, Sr., for his service to the United States of America and the State of Georgia by the naming of a lasting memorial in honor and memory of his service.

PART VIII

WHEREAS, Shellie W. Parrish was born in Berrien County, married Lena Taylor of Berrien County, raised his family in Berrien County, and lived his entire life in Berrien County until his passing on June 20, 1970; and

WHEREAS, as a young farmer he employed good business practices and hard work to become one of the largest farmers in Berrien County; and

WHEREAS, he was a very successful farmer, but he was humble and charitable; and

WHEREAS, although he was encouraged by friends and neighbors, he never sought public office, but he was always a leader and a pillar of his community; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor Shellie W. Parrish for his exemplary life and service as a husband, father, and citizen of Berrien County with the naming of the SR 37 bridge on the Willacoochee River in his memory.

PART IX

WHEREAS, Mr. Lucius Murphy Jacobs has been an unselfish citizen of Berrien County with an unwavering commitment to helping others in both Berrien and Atkinson counties; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jacobs has faithfully served the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Georgia for 50 years, having served as Worshipful Master three times in his local lodge and served in each position of leadership in that lodge at least once; and

WHEREAS, as a Shriner, he is known throughout his community by the annual orange and grapefruit fund raiser to benefit the Shrine Hospitals; and

WHEREAS, he has also served as Fire Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in his community and participated in numerous community service projects providing leadership and unselfish service to many good causes; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor Mr. Lucius Murphy Jacobs for his exemplary life and service as an unselfish and caring citizen of Berrien County by the naming of the US 82/SR 520 bridge on the Willacoochee River in his honor.

PART X

WHEREAS, Virgil T. Barber served in the Third Chemical Battalion assigned to the Third Army, United States Army, from October 17, 1940, until March 26, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Virgil T. Barber served as a medical technician and served in the Sicilian campaign, the Italian campaign, and in France and Germany; and

WHEREAS, he was wounded on January 9, 1944, with a compound fracture in his right leg; and
WHEREAS, Virgil T. Barber was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the European African Medal, and the Eastern Theatre Medal; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor Virgil T. Barber for his service to the United States of America, the State of Georgia, and Berrien County with the naming of the SR 125 bridge on the Willacoochee River in honor of his service.

PART XI

WHEREAS, Hubert F. Comer served in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS Rich, a destroyer escort during the Normandy invasion in June 1944; and

WHEREAS, the USS Rich hit three German mines off the Normandy coast two days after the Normandy invasion; and

WHEREAS, Hubert F. Comer was listed among the missing, and his body was never recovered; and

WHEREAS, Hubert F. Comer was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal, and the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to honor Hubert F. Comer for his service and ultimate sacrifice in that service to the United States of America, the State of Georgia, and Berrien County by the naming of the SR 37 bridge on Cat Creek in honor and memory of his service and sacrifice.

PART XII

WHEREAS, William J. Livsey was born June 8, 1931, at Clarkston, Georgia, where he attended the public schools and there distinguished himself in scholastics and athletics; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Clarkston High School he attended North Georgia College where he further excelled scholastically and athletically, and he completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps curriculum, graduating in June 1952, whereupon he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, shortly thereafter, he served as a platoon leader in the Korean War, earning the Silver Star for gallantry in action; and

WHEREAS, he continued to distinguish himself in his military career seeing further combat duty in Viet Nam as Commander of an infantry battalion; rising through every level of command position while serving in the United States and in four subsequent overseas tours, and culminating his career with assignment as Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces, Korea/Commanding General, Eighth United States Army; and

WHEREAS, his military education included completion of the Army´s Command and General Staff College (where he was first in his class), the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College; and

WHEREAS, awards and decorations received by him also include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (with two Oak Leaf Clusters); and

WHEREAS, General Livsey retired in 1987 after attaining the rank of four-star General, one of only four Georgians ever to be so recognized by the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement General Livsey served the people of our state as a member of the Board of Trustees of North Georgia College and State University, his alma mater; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career of service around the world, General Livsey continually maintained his home in our State of Georgia, residing today at his residence in Fayette County with his wife Bena Sue Burns Livsey, originally of East Point; and

WHEREAS, General Livsey is credited with being among the first, if not the first, to remind us that "Freedom is not Free"; and

WHEREAS, the life of unselfish service of General William J. Livsey has been dedicated to securing and preserving the blessing of freedom to the people of the United States of America, bringing honor and pride to his native State of Georgia.

PART XIII

WHEREAS, Sergeant Callahan was born on March 17, 1919, in Taylor County, Georgia to William and Jewell Callahan; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Callahan graduated from Butler High School and continued his education at Georgia Southwestern College and the University of Georgia Cotton Classification School; and

WHEREAS, he was drafted in 1941, entered the Army, and was assigned to U.S. Army Air Corps, where he was trained as an air traffic controller and stationed at Pacos Army Air Field in Texas; and

WHEREAS, as World War II came to a close Sergeant Callahan was shipped to Madison, Wisconsin to be discharged, and as was the custom there, while waiting for their official discharge soldiers were permitted to go into town each day and earn extra income; on one such day Sergeant Callahan took a construction job and while more than 13 floors up, an act of God caused a gust of wind that blew a sheet of plywood into Sergeant Callahan causing him to fall over the edge of the building to his death; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Callahan was in uniform and still a soldier in the Army at the time of his accident, and he is believed to be the only fatal casualty in south Taylor County during World War II.

PART XIV

WHEREAS, Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows was born December 8, 1926, in Meriwether County, Georgia; he was the son of James Alvin and Mozelle Wise Meadows; and

WHEREAS, he was a lifelong resident of Manchester, Georgia, and retired after a successful career as the president of the Meadows Companies, which included Meadows Motors, Inc., Meadows Ford, Inc., Meadows Insurance Agency, Smith-Steele Meadows Funeral Home, and Meadows Farms; and
WHEREAS, for most of his life, Nookie took an active interest in his community and its citizens, relentlessly volunteering his time and energy so that others might experience a better quality of life, and he built a viable business network that provided local employment and stimulated economic growth that benefited the lives of many people throughout the community and state; and

WHEREAS, he served as Representative of House District 91 from 1987 until 1992; and

WHEREAS, he was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, the Georgia State University Foundation Fund, and the Columbus Bank and Trust Advisory Board; a past president of the Manchester Industrial Corporation; a member of the Meriwether County Chamber of Commerce; a past president of the Kiwanis Club, where he held perfect attendance for 43 years; a member of the committee to save the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, now the RWSIR; chairman and chairman emeritus of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Fund from 1986 to 1992; a past president of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund; a past president of the Manchester Jaycees; a member of the Stephens Lodge #586 of the Free and Accepted Masons, the AL Sihah Shrine Temple, the Elks Lodge, the Moose Lodge, the American Legion, and the Pontiac Masters; a recipient of the Chevrolet Supremacy for over 22 years, the Honorary State Trooper award, the Flying Colonel award, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, and the James T. Evans Rotary Award for Community Service; a member of the Manchester School Board, the Advisory Board of the Bank of Upson, and the Georgia Baptist Meriwether Hospital and Nursing Home Board; and he spearheaded the relocation of Horizon Medical to Manchester; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting and proper to celebrate the life of this Georgian and to recognize his great contributions to this state and to his community by dedicating the Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows Memorial Highway in his memory.

PART XV

WHEREAS, Corporal Michael Douglas Young served with the Georgia State Patrol from 1985 until his death in 2006 at the age of 47; and

WHEREAS, he succumbed to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on I-95, in Glynn County, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, he was responding to a call to assist another officer who was involved in a vehicle pursuit when the tragic accident occurred; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Young is survived by his wife, Martha; his daughters, Morgan and Mickey; his granddaughter, Mikale; and his grandson, Maguire; and

WHEREAS, it is only proper and fitting to honor Corporal Young´s courageous service to the people of Georgia by dedicating an interchange on I-95 in his memory.

PART XVI

WHEREAS, James Roy "Pop" Lewis will always be remembered by the citizens of Lincoln County for his many contributions to the community and to the world of bluegrass and gospel music; and

WHEREAS, he was born in Pickens, South Carolina, on September 22, 1905, and at the age of five years old, he moved to Lincoln County, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, on October 25, 1925, at the age of 20, he eloped with the former Pauline Holloway with whom he had eight children; and

WHEREAS, through his leadership, The Lewis Family, also known as the "First Family of Bluegrass Gospel," moved from singing on front porches in the late 1940´s to performing in such places as the Lincoln Center in New York City; the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee; and the Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, The Lewis Family holds the record for the longest running gospel music show in America, airing for 38 years from 1954 to 1992 on WJBF in Augusta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Pop Lewis received numerous awards including his induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1992, his induction into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2000, the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2001, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from SGN Scoops Magazine; and

WHEREAS, on the sad day of March 24, 2004, at the age of 98, Mr. Lewis departed this life.

PART XVII

WHEREAS, PFC David G. Bryan was killed in action in Pleiku, Republic of South Vietnam, on June 11, 1966; and

WHEREAS, he was a soldier in Company C, Second Battalion of the 28th Infantry; and

WHEREAS, he is believed to be the first soldier from Lumpkin County, Georgia, killed in action in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, he was born on January 5, 1946, and was raised along the portion of road now to be dedicated in his honor; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting to honor the memory of this courageous young man who went to war to defend freedom and liberty for all Americans.

PART XVIII

WHEREAS, Bobby Staton was born in Rabun County, Georgia, and was raised in Clayton, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, he began his career with the Georgia State Patrol on July 7, 1968, and retired as a senior trooper on June 1, 2000, after 32 years of excellent service; and

WHEREAS, he was a dedicated trooper and a good and honest man; and

WHEREAS, Bobby was a master mason in Blue Ridge Lodge # 67 and was a member of the Blue Ridge First Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, he was a wonderful father and husband and leaves behind his beautiful wife, Claudia Cannon Staton, and their two children, son Cole Staton and daughter Shannon Staton; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Staton passed away on July 2, 2002, from cancer; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting to dedicate a lasting memorial in honor of his life well lived and his tireless service to the people of Georgia.

PART XIX

WHEREAS, Cleon Baker McCranie was born on May 22, 1919, to his proud parents, George Flowers McCranie, Jr., and Margaret Ellen Baker McCranie; and

WHEREAS, he was married on March 4, 1950, to Alice Nell McCranie, and they had two children, Margaret (Peggy) Ann McCranie and James (Jim) Baker McCranie; and

WHEREAS, he attended school at Willacoochee Elementary and Willacoochee High School and furthered his education at Gordon Military College; and

WHEREAS, his business background included tree farming, turpentine farming, and working in a partnership with his brothers; and

WHEREAS, Cleon was inducted into the United States Army on April 15, 1942, at Fort McPherson, Georgia, and served during World War II; and

WHEREAS, he served as a Technician 5th Grade in the Headquarters Battery of the 563rd Field Artillery Battalion, and he was one of the first soldiers to cross the Rhine River and enter Germany; and

WHEREAS, Cleon told his son, Jim, that he once was the front man in a Jeep that led his battalion through a German mine field; he was under the command of General George S. Patton, and was ordered to "Just drive down that road until you get blown up"; and

WHEREAS, he received many citations during his service, including a WWII Victory Medal, the Bronze Star, the American Theater Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, he received an Honorable Discharge on December 22, 1945, and returned to his home and family where he lived a full life until he passed away on March 23, 1977.

PART XX

WHEREAS, Mr. Wayne Shackelford is a native of Carroll County, Georgia, where he attended the public schools; and

WHEREAS, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Berry College and went on to graduate work at the University of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in 1991, he was named by the State Transportation Board as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, he played an important role in the transportation, well-being, and quality of life of all Georgians; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership, the Georgia Department of Transportation completed the Commuter Rail Study in 1995 and the Intercity Rail Study in 1997; and he preserved essential freight rail corridors by acquiring ten rail lines totaling 281 miles and rehabilitating 12 rail lines totaling 251 miles; and

WHEREAS, he fostered the development of the most comprehensive traffic and incident management system in the world in time for the Centennial Olympic Games; and

WHEREAS, he was instrumental in the development of a unified transportation system in counties for nonemergency medical transportation as well as playing a key role in the purchase of transit coaches and bus related facilities for Georgia´s major transit systems; and

WHEREAS, he challenged Georgia DOT personnel to reduce their single occupancy vehicle commute rate in the metropolitan Atlanta area by 20 percent for the entire smog season, and those employees surpassed their goal two years in a row; and

WHEREAS, his service as chairman of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board, and president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials gave Georgia great respect in the U.S. Congress and in the executive branch, and Georgia benefited financially therefrom; and

WHEREAS, given his many contributions to the State of Georgia it is the desire of the General Assembly to find a concrete expression for its gratitude, and it is only fitting and proper that he be recognized for his outstanding accomplishments and dedication in serving the citizens of our great state.

PART XXI

WHEREAS, Mr. Howard Rogers Youngblood was born in Banks County, Georgia, on May 2, 1927, and moved to the City of Madison in Morgan County, Georgia, when he was 12 years old; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 17, he entered the Merchant Marines as a seaman for two years, returning to Morgan County in 1946 to begin his career with the Georgia Department of Transportation as a resident engineer; he later served as head of the Maintenance Department for the Georgia Department of Transportation in Morgan County; and

WHEREAS, he began his dairy operation and became a member of the Dairy Association in 1953, and he became director of the Morgan County Farm Bureau in 1955, a position he held until his retirement from the board in 2007; and

WHEREAS, he has served on the board of the American Dairymen Association and the board of DHIA and was recognized as the Soil Conservation Man of the Year and the Georgia Distinguished Cooperator; and

WHEREAS, he has diligently and conscientiously devoted over 62 years to being a successful dairy farmer and an employee of the Georgia Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, he is a devoted husband to his wife, Mary Elizabeth Morris, and a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Youngblood has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that he has played in community leadership and his deep personal commitment to his community and this state; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

PART XXII

WHEREAS, William "Billy" L. Powell, Jr., began working with the Georgia Department of Transportation in 1963, and he worked his way up the ladder from engineering aide to transportation engineer II; and

WHEREAS, he retired in 1996 after 34 years of faithful service, after which he worked with CPI Construction Company and Zel Engineers; and

WHEREAS, his first love in life was his family, his dear wife, Mary Alice, and his two daughters, and they were always on his mind, and his second love was fishing; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Powell was tragically killed by an unknown gunman a few days before Thanksgiving, 2005; and

WHEREAS, he is remembered in his community as a man of strong family values and moral fiber.

PART XXIII

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of US 41 from West Paces Ferry Road to Moores Mill Road in Fulton County be dedicated as the Joel A. Katz Parkway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that State Route 98 in Madison County from the traffic light at the intersection with State Route 72 in the City of Comer to the traffic light at the intersection with U. S. Highway 29 in the City of Danielsville is dedicated as the Jere Ayers Parkway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in recognition of 40 years of service, the facility known as American Camellia Society Headquarters located in Fort Valley, Georgia, shall serve as the official state resource center for information and education on the horticultural aspects of the genus Camellia and the Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate signs so designating said facility.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of US 80 located within the State of Georgia be dedicated as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, and the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate markers in Columbus, Macon, and Tybee Island, Georgia, dedicating the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body dedicate the interchange at the intersection of Interstates 16 and 95 in Chatham County as the Clarence Thomas Interchange.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body dedicate the portion of SR 81 between its intersections with US 19/41 and SR 3, in Henry County, as the PFC Robert Adrian Worthington Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge at the Alapaha River on US 82 on the Berrien-Atkinson County line, is dedicated as the William Harvey Jewell, Sr. Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Shellie W. Parrish Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge at the Willacoochee River on US 82/SR 520 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Lucius Murphy Jacobs Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge at the Willacoochee River on SR 125 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Virgil T. Barber Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge at Cat Creek on SR 37 in Berrien County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Hubert F. Comer Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 314 North running from its intersection with SR 85 and running northerly to the Fayette County line shall be dedicated as the General Bill Livsey Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge over the CSX Railroad located in Rupert, Taylor County, Georgia, between mile markers North 5.3 and South 5.2 on US 19/SR 3 be dedicated as the SGT. William Morgan Callahan Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 85 East between Manchester and Woodbury in Meriwether County, Georgia, be dedicated as the Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interchange on I-95 at the intersection with US 17 at Exit 29, in Glynn County, be dedicated as the Corporal Michael Douglas Young Memorial Interchange.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 378 in Lincoln County, Georgia, between the city limits of the City of Lincolnton and the Wilkes County boundary, be dedicated as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 115 starting at its intersection with Emory Stephens Road and extending easterly to the White/Lumpkin County line is dedicated as the PFC David G. Bryan Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge over Lake Burton on US 76 be dedicated as the Bobby Staton Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the westbound lane of the westernmost bridge over the Alapaha River on SR 82 at the Atkinson and Berrien County line as the Cleon Baker McCranie Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interchange at I-85 and SR 316, in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is dedicated as the Wayne Shackelford Interchange.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge on US 441 over Sandy Creek in Morgan County be dedicated as the Howard Rogers Youngblood Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge on State Route 104 at the Augusta Canal in Richmond County is designated as the William "Billy" L. Powell, Jr., Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and directed to place and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities named in this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Department of Transportation, to Joel A. Katz, to the Board of Commissioners of Madison County, to the American Camellia Society, to the Korean War veterans organizations within Georgia, to Justice Clarence Thomas, to the family of Robert Adrian Worthington, to the family of William Harvey Jewell, Sr., to the family of Shellie W. Parrish, to Lucius Murphy Jacobs, to Virgil T. Barber, to the family of Hubert F. Comer, to General Bill Livsey, to the family of Sergeant William Morgan Callahan, to the family of Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows, to the family of Corporal Michael Douglas Young, to the family of James Roy "Pop" Lewis, to the family of PFC David G. Bryan, to the family of Robert "Bobby" Caroll Staton, to the family of Cleon Baker McCranie, to Mr. Wayne Shackelford, to Mr. Howard Rogers Youngblood, and to the family of William "Billy" L. Powell, Jr.