Loudermilk Seeks to Give Georgia an Official Birthday

CASSVILLE – For 275 years, Georgia has been without an official birthday; however, on the anniversary of the founding of the colony, Governor Sonny Perdue will change that as he signs HB 387 by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) on Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

On February 12, 1733, James Edward Oglethorpe and a group of settlers first landed on Yamacraw Bluff, and occupied the area which would later become the city of Savannah. Although February 12th has been unofficially identified as “Georgia Day” in some schools and historic organizations, there has been no official recognition of this day as the birthday of Georgia.

Loudermilk’s bill, HB 387, will establish February 12, 1733, as the official “Birthday of Georgia” and recognize February 12th each year as “Georgia Day.”

HB 387 may have also set a record pace, as it was heard in the House Special Rules Committee on Wednesday, February 6, made it through the House and the Senate, and is to be signed by the Governor on February 12.

“In less than five legislative days, this bill made it through both houses and to the Governor’s desk for his signature. That is light speed in legislative time,” exclaimed Loudermilk.

“I believe it is important to recognize and adhere to the heritage of our great state, and to acknowledge important events in our state’s history,” said Loudermilk.  “And with this act, we will finally, two hundred seventy-five years later, officially recognize February 12 as Georgia’s birthday.”

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