07 LC 34
1184S
The
House Committee on Transportation offers the following substitute to HR
423:
A
RESOLUTION
Dedicating
certain portions of the state highway system; and for other
purposes.
PART
I
WHEREAS,
Billy Lancaster lived his life with a passion for the land and for forestry;
and
WHEREAS,
he also had an equal passion for working with the youth of Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
he was a strong believer in the stewardship ethic expected of landowners and
foresters; and
WHEREAS,
he was a strong supporter of the Georgia Forestry Association and its important
role in protecting the right of landowners and foresters to practice good
forestry management; and
WHEREAS,
the Society of American Foresters´ Youth Camp founded in 1989 by Billy
Lancaster was renamed the Billy Lancaster Forestry Youth Camp in 2003;
and
WHEREAS,
Billy Lancaster´s passion for life was contagious, and those who knew him
and had the privilege to be around him were blessed; and
WHEREAS,
it is only fitting that his memory be perpetuated for generations to
come.
PART
II
WHEREAS,
Nathan and James Simmons were Georgians and brothers who proudly and
courageously served their country when called upon; and
WHEREAS,
Nathan B. Simmons was born on June 10, 1929, in Appling County, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
he enlisted in the United States Army, and rose to the rank of Sergeant First
Class; and
WHEREAS,
he was awarded numerous honors and medals, including the Army Commendation
medal, Bronze Star medal for meritorious service in connection with military
operations against a hostile force, Vietnam Service medal, National Defense
Service medal, and the Soldier´s Medal for pulling a panic-stricken soldier
from a raging stream; and
WHEREAS,
he was killed in action in Vietnam on May 12, 1969; and
WHEREAS,
James Q. Simmons was born on July 22, 1930, in Nicholls, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
he enlisted in the United States Army and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant
while serving his country in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam; and
WHEREAS,
he was awarded numerous honors and medals, including the Bronze Star, Purple
Heart, Army of Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal,
Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Parachutist Badge – Master;
and
WHEREAS,
these courageous soldiers, 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
III
WHEREAS,
the late Charles Cowart was born in Arlington, Georgia, in 1909, and lived there
all of his life; and
WHEREAS,
he served the public as county commissioner in Calhoun County for 37 years,
including 32 years as chairman. During those years, he made numerous trips to
Atlanta to work first-hand with legislators and state department heads to find
ways to improve Calhoun County; and
WHEREAS,
he was always active in his church, Arlington United Methodist, holding various
positions, most notably as chairman of the Board of Trustees for many years; and
he belonged to several civic organizations; and
WHEREAS,
he and Mary Martin were married in 1934; and
WHEREAS,
the late Mary Martin Cowart was born in Blakely, Georgia, in 1908; her family
moved to Arlington shortly thereafter, and she lived the rest of her life in
Arlington; and
WHEREAS,
she was very much involved in the work that brought the hospital to Arlington in
the mid-1950s, and she then became a charter member of the Hospital Board, where
she served as chairwoman for many years; during this same period of time, she
worked tirelessly with many others to help Arlington become a Better Hometown
community; and
WHEREAS,
she always had a deep concern for the underprivileged, and she showed this
concern during the many years that she worked for DFACS in Calhoun and Early
counties and then later as manager of the Arlington Housing Authority;
and
WHEREAS,
she was a lifelong member of the Arlington United Methodist Church where she
taught adult Sunday School classes for many years, and served in several other
positions on the administrative board of the church.
PART
IV
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of
SR 42 from the City of Forsyth to the entrance to Indian Springs State Park, in
Butts and Monroe counties, be dedicated as the Billy Lancaster Memorial
Highway.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge on SR 221 between the city limits of Douglas
and SR 206 be dedicated as the SFC Nathan B. Simmons and SSGT James Q. Simmons
Memorial Bridge.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 45 Alternate in Calhoun County from
the intersection of SR 45, SR 62, SR 216, and Cedar Street to the junction of SR
45 Alternate with SR 45 be designated as the Charles and Mary Cowart
Bypass.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities
named in this resolution.
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 Department
of Transportation, to the family of Billy Lancaster, to the families of Nathan
B. Simmons and James Q. Simmons, and to the family of Charles and Mary Cowart.