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08 LC 34 1804S

House Resolution 468 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representative Houston of the 170th

A RESOLUTION

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

PART I

WHEREAS, Sheriff D. J. Connell served Cook County as the sheriff for many years; and

WHEREAS, during his years of faithful service, he worked diligently, above and beyond the call of duty; and

WHEREAS, due to his hard work and dedication, the people of Cook County live in a safe, secure environment; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County strongly believe that Sheriff D. J. Connell should be honored for his service to the community; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting to recognize his years of service to Cook County and the State of Georgia.

PART II

WHEREAS, the veterans of service in the United States military have given of their time, energy, and sometimes their lives to secure the blessings of freedom for all the citizens of this great country; and

WHEREAS, the sacrifices these great men and women have made to protect our nation should never be taken for granted or allowed to fade into distant memory; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that a lasting tribute to memorialize the unselfish patriotism of these special men and women should be created to perpetuate the memory of their great sacrifices to protect our freedom.

PART III

WHEREAS, Fred DeLoach, Jr., was born on May 17, 1929, in Valdosta, Georgia, to Fred DeLoach, Sr., and Cobbie Pedrick DeLoach; and

WHEREAS, he attended Central Grammar, Valdosta Junior High, and Valdosta High School and graduated from Gordon Military High School in 1944; and

WHEREAS, he continued his education at the University of Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947; and

WHEREAS, Fred DeLoach, Jr., served as the chairman of the group that brought Gold Kist to Lowndes County; and

WHEREAS, he owned and operated DeLoach Hardware from 1956 to 1990 and also did some farming; and

WHEREAS, he served as chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners from 1976 to 1992, and during this time, he also served as president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, chairman of the Board of Community Affairs, and as a member of Governor Joe Frank Harris´s Growth Strategies Commission; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of the First Baptist Church, the Valdosta Country Club, the Elks Club, and the Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that Fred DeLoach, Jr., be honored for his many contributions to his state and community by having a road dedicated in his honor.

PART IV

WHEREAS, Charles Ray King was born in Waycross, Georgia, on March 27, 1949, the only son of Henry King, Jr., and Rosa Lee Turner King, and was a 1967 graduate of Ware County High School; and

WHEREAS, he lived in the Dixie Union area of Ware County where he worked on his father´s farm; and

WHEREAS, he was drafted in 1969 and was sent to serve in Vietnam in 1970 where, on April 26, 1970, he was killed in action; and

WHEREAS, as a result of his gallantry and devotion to duty, he received the Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster along with the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal; and

WHEREAS, he diligently and conscientiously devoted 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 the bridge over the Satilla River on State Route 4/U. S. Route 1 in Ware County should be named in his honor.

PART V

WHEREAS, Ottis L. Stonecypher, Sr., was born on February 8, 1930, at a private residence in Habersham County; he was the second of four children in his family; and

WHEREAS, he was raised on a farm in the Clarkesville-Mount Airy area and attended the Hills Switch School until he began his working life; and

WHEREAS, he had been married to Treelis Ward Stonecypher for almost 30 years at the time of his death and he had three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, he was killed in an automobile accident on May 13, 2002, while returning from a cattle sale; and

WHEREAS, Stonecypher´s professional life was more than full, and he was known as many things to many people; he was a businessman, a farmer, a mentor, an advisor, a leader, a family man, and a friend; and
WHEREAS, at one point, he owned seven different Tastee-Freeze franchises all over Northeast Georgia; eventually he withdrew from the franchises and maintained two restaurants on his own, named Stoney´s Family Restaurant, located in Clarkesville and Cleveland, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Stoney was also an avid cattle farmer, averaging between 500 and 600 head of cattle at any given time, and particularly enjoyed this aspect of his life, joining several boards and committees related to farming; he was a board member with North Georgia Cattlemen´s Association as well as the state-wide Georgia Cattlemen´s Association, and he was on the Georgia Beef Board; and

WHEREAS, he won many awards during his life and after his death; the livestock pavilion at the Habersham County Fairgrounds was renamed and dedicated to Ottis Stonecypher, Sr., for his lifelong commitment to farming and raising cattle; the Habersham County Farm Bureau building was renamed Ottis Stonecypher, Sr. Building, and they awarded him the Outstanding Dedication and Leadership Award; the Georgia Farm Bureau honored Stonecypher with the Lifelong Commitment Award; he also received the Georgia and Habersham County Farm Bureau Community Leader Award and the Upper Chattahoochee Farm Family of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, he was always very community-minded, staying involved in most all aspects of the betterment of Habersham County life; he was chairman of the board at Habersham County Medical Center, president of Habersham County Farm Bureau, and sat on its board; and he was also a board member of Georgia Farm Bureau and Community Bank and Trust; and

WHEREAS, Stonecypher was in the Charter Class of Leadership Habersham and was a member of the Mountaineer Shrine Club and Yaarab Temple; he was involved in many aspects of North Georgia community life and was well respected in all he did; and

WHEREAS, he was a Korean War Veteran and is buried in the VFW Cemetery in Demorest, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, everyone Stonecypher knew, and those who knew him, respected and admired him as a determined, hard worker and a self-made man; a person would be hard-pressed to find someone that did not like Stoney, as he would help anyone in any way he could, throughout his life; his legacy is one of dedication and hard work, compassion and generosity; he will be remembered as one of Northeast Georgia´s finest citizens, and is greatly missed.

PART VI

WHEREAS, Sergeant Michael C. Hardegree was recently killed in a tragic accident while serving his country in Baghdad, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Michael was a native of Villa Rica, Georgia, where he grew up loving music and golf and graduated from Villa Rica High School in 2004; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, he carried on a family tradition of military service by becoming an army paratrooper, serving with valor and distinction during two tours of duty in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, this noble young soldier served with selfless patriotism and brought great honor to himself, his family, and his community; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Hardegree is survived by his parents, Stan and Cindy Hardegree of Villa Rica, and his sister, Beth Shaw of Fort Monroe, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that we pay tribute to this brave warrior.

PART VII

WHEREAS, Edwin Hamilton was a long-time resident of Emerson, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, he served his country in the Navy during Word War II; and

WHEREAS, he managed the Colonial Food Store in Cartersville, Georgia, for many years; and

WHEREAS, he cooperated in allowing the acquisition of his homeplace for the construction of this road and bridge, even though he was displaced at a time in his life when relocating was very difficult for him and his wife; and

WHEREAS, Edwin Hamilton passed away in 2007 at the age of 86.

PART VIII

WHEREAS, Reverend George W. Nealy was born on October 15, 1929, and died on December 21, 2007; and

WHEREAS, he spent many years of his life fighting for civil rights and, most notably for Webster County, Georgia, was involved in bringing about legal action that resulted in the formation of a multimember county commission in 1990 that guaranteed African American representation on the governing body of the county; and

WHEREAS, without Reverend Nealy´s invaluable contributions, Webster County would not have achieved the level of interracial cooperation in governmental affairs that exists today.

PART IX

WHEREAS, Cliff Shannon was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on September 17, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Cliff, who was born on December 1, 1956, served for nearly 30 years as a dedicated member of the Preston/Webster County Volunteer Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, his contribution and service to his community will always be remembered and his death has left a void that is yet to be filled.

PART X

WHEREAS, Glenn E. Taylor was born in Paulding County in 1922 and was raised within a 60 mile radius of his birthplace; and

WHEREAS, prior to his passing on May 1, 2006, he was a prominent citizen of Bartow County and the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, he was a well respected and successful businessman, having established several enterprises, including the Bankhead Welding Service, Bankhead Manufacturing Group, Inc., and Bankhead Railway Services, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Glenn E. Taylor was also well known for his support of many charitable and benevolent organizations and he often opened his home and farm to host a variety of charitable and worthwhile events, such as the Cartersville-Bartow County annual picnic and the Euharlee Farmers Barbeque; and
WHEREAS, he also set an example of unselfish public service while serving as past chairman and board member for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for 23 years; and

WHEREAS, he had a deep love and respect for the land he farmed along SR 113 in Bartow County, and many prominent Georgians attended gatherings on his farm; and

WHEREAS, his most notable characteristic was his gentle nature and the kindness that he displayed in all aspects of his life; it can truly be said that to have known him was to have known a Southern Christian gentleman; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that a road be dedicated as a lasting monument to his contributions to the people of Bartow County and the State of Georgia.

PART XI

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 XII

WHEREAS, Trey Bartlett was a member in the United States Armed Forces, and he was serving his country in Iraq on July 15, 2007, when he lost his life at the young age of 25; and

WHEREAS, Trey returned to military duty in Iraq after coming home at the time of his father´s death; out of his dedication to serve our great country during this time of conflict, he chose to return to duty at a time when he could have been honorably discharged, but he would not have it any other way; and

WHEREAS, Benjamin Blake Bartlett, Sr., Trey´s father, passed away on April 13, 2007, at the age of 63; and

WHEREAS, Anna Ruth Lee Bartlett (Ann), Trey´s mother, passed away on May 13, 1991, at the age of 47, when Trey was only nine years old; and

WHEREAS, Trey´s only sibling, his sister, Lura Lee Bartlett, passed away on September 23, 1997, at the age of 31; and

WHEREAS, prior to enlisting in the military, Trey resided in Talbot County, Georgia, with his father on the family homestead that is located on SR 41 between Woodland and Manchester, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that this young soldier have a road dedicated in his honor to serve as a lasting tribute of his service to his state and his country.

PART XIII

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 XIV

WHEREAS, Franklin Lee Dixon passed away on September 14, 2007; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Rabun County Department of Education to honor Franklin Lee Dixon for his distinguished service to the citizens of Clayton and Rabun County; and

WHEREAS, Franklin Lee Dixon was born in Fannin County, Georgia, and was the son of the late Bruce Burrell Dixon and Laura Freeman Dixon; and

WHEREAS, Franklin Lee Dixon is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann Simmons Dixon; a son, Adam Dixon, and his wife, Jodi, of Clayton, Georgia; and three daughters, Dawn Shaw and her husband, Lee, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, Tara York and her husband, Bryne, of Tiger, Georgia, and Chantel Thompson and her husband, Robin, of Clayton, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, also surviving is one brother, Benjamin Bruce Dixon, of Dawsonville, Georgia, and ten grandchildren, Daniel C. Ramey, Jared Shaw, Connor Shaw, Anna Kate Shaw, O´Neil York, MacKenzie York, Keldon Dixon, Clayton Hunter Dixon, Abby Thompson, and Marley Thompson; and

WHEREAS, Franklin Lee Dixon was the Transportation Director for the Rabun County School System, and for 30 years, he drove Rabun County students to school and for many extracurricular activities and was active in the Athletic Booster Club where he filmed football games for many years, and he always took pride in all of the children of Rabun County, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Franklin Lee Dixon took a special interest in caring for and assisting children with learning disabilities and never failed to conscientiously accept every driving assignment requested of him; and

WHEREAS, he was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church, a Master Mason and member of Blue Mountain Lodge #38, and a veteran of the United States Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, it is only right that this man´s fruitful life be celebrated as he makes his home in heaven.

PART XV

WHEREAS, Michael R. Fortson was a native son of Rabun County who graduated from Rabun County High School in 1983 and immediately went to work for the City of Clayton Police Department; and

WHEREAS, he later was accepted into the Georgia State Patrol where he served with distinction from 1986 until his untimely death on July 19, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Michael R. Fortson was a great asset to the community, a devoted husband and father, a caring brother, and a loving son to his parents, Willie and Hattie; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Rabun County to honor Michael R. Fortson for his distinguished service to the citizens of Clayton, Rabun County, and the State of Georgia.

PART XVI

WHEREAS, William "Billy" Harvey Jewell, Sr., was born on July 30, 1930, to William Riley Jewell and Johnnie Reva Newburn and spent the majority of his life living in Willacoochee, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jewell served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 and was a decorated war veteran of the Korean War having been awarded two Bronze Stars, the Korean Service Medal, and the Infantryman´s Badge for his patriotism and courage; and

WHEREAS, during the early 1970´s, Mr. Jewell became a police officer in Willacoochee and ultimately not only became Willacoochee´s police chief, but also chief of police in Pearson, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jewell was well respected and loved in his community and dedicated his life to ensuring that all in his community were safe; and while the number of his selfless deeds are countless, his heroism in saving the life of a child while camping in particularity shall always be remembered; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jewell lived his life as an example to all and taught many lessons in life, not only to his family, but to all in his community who had the pleasure of knowing him; he was a man of integrity and love that will not soon be forgotten.

PART XVII

WHEREAS, the sacrifices these great men and women have made to protect our nation should never be taken for granted or allowed to fade into distant memory; and

PART XVIII

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the portion of SR 41 in Cook County from mile marker 0 to mile marker 10 is dedicated as the Sheriff D. J. Connell Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 7 in Lowndes County and the City of Valdosta which was formerly known as Inner Perimeter Road and which runs from the intersection of said route with North Valdosta Road, thence generally eastward, thence generally southward, and thence generally southwestward to the intersection of said route with Madison Highway is dedicated as Veterans Memorial Parkway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 94 from Perimeter Road in Lowndes County, Georgia, to the Echols County line is dedicated as the Fred DeLoach, Jr. Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge over the Satilla River on State Route 4/U. S. Route 1 in Ware County is dedicated as the Charles Ray King Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a portion of SR 197 from Mt. Airy to its intersection with SR 17, in Habersham County, be dedicated as the Ottis L. Stonecypher, Sr. Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 101 from the Carroll-Paulding County line to the intersection with Industrial Boulevard, in Carroll County, Georgia, be dedicated as the Sergeant Michael C. Hardegree Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body dedicate the new bridge on SR 296 at SR 113, in Bartow County, as the Edwin Price Hamilton Memorial Bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the bridge on SR 41 over Kinchafoonee Creek, in Webster County, be dedicated as the Reverend George W. Nealy Memorial Bridge in his honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body dedicate the bridge on SR 153 over Lanahassee Creek, in Webster County, as the Cliff Shannon Memorial Bridge in honor of his service to his community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 113 from the Polk County line to Red Top Mountain Road at I-75, in Bartow County, be named the Glenn E. Taylor Memorial Parkway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that State Route 104 in Richmond County is dedicated as the William "Billy" L. Powell, Jr., Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 41 from the northern city limits of Woodland, Georgia, to the southern city limits of Manchester, Georgia, in Talbot County be dedicated as the SFC Benjamin "Trey" Blake Bartlett Jr. Memorial Highway.

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 bridge on US 441 near Rabun County High School in Rabun County be dedicated as the Lee Dixon Memorial Bridge in memory of his service to the people of Rabun County and the State of Georgia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 15/US 441 within the Clayton City limits in Rabun County be dedicated as the Trooper Michael R. Fortson Memorial Highway.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the westbound lane of the easternmost bridge crossing the Alapaha River on Highway 82 in Atkinson County be dedicated as the Corporal William "Billy" Harvey Jewell, Sr. Bridge in his honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the portion of SR 243 between SR 57 at the Twiggs-Wilkinson County line and SR 24 in Baldwin County be dedicated as the Veterans Memorial Highway.

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 Sheriff D. J. Connell, to Fred DeLoach, Jr., to the family of Charles Ray King, to the family of Ottis L. Stonecypher, Sr., to the family of Sergeant Michael C. Hardegree, to the family of Edwin Price Hamilton, to the family of Reverend George W. Nealy, to the family of Cliff Shannon, to the family of Glenn E. Taylor, to the family of William "Billy" L. Powell, Jr., to the family of Benjamin Blake Bartlett, Jr., to the family of Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows, to the family of Lee Dixon, to Kathleen Fortson, to Willie and Hattie Fortson, to the family of Mr. William "Billy" Harvey Jewell, Sr., and to the Boards of Commissioners of Wilkinson and Baldwin counties.