Georgia Heritage Coalition - HB15 - The 2005 State Flag Fair Vote Bill

Jeff Davis

Georgia Heritage Coalition
Phone: 770-297-4788 email: chairman@GeorgiaHeritageCouncil.org
Web: www.GeorgiaHeritageCouncil.org

December 9, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HB15 - The 2005 State Flag Fair Vote Bill, by J. A. Davis

The 2005 State Flag Fair Vote bill, known as HB15, has been pre-filed as of December 8th by Rep. Tim Bearden.

Already thus introduced in the House, we won't know for certain whether or what Committee the bill may be assigned to until the House convenes in January. Nevertheless, we don't need wait until January to get busy.

We need for legislators all over Georgia to hear from their constituents who should urge them to support a Fair Vote (HB15) for Georgia. Please help spread the word and urge your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers to do the same.

As we and our friends make contact with various legislators (especially in the House for now), we will be tallying a scoreboard and will post on this website the names of those who support HB15 and those who don't. We have little use for "stealth support"----now is the time for legislators to either stand up and support what's right or be exposed as one who opposes the right of Georgians to have a REAL say in the choice of their State flag.

In any case, please let us know what you're hearing from your legislators. Email webmaster@georgiaheritagecouncil.org to report support or lack of support. This will help us focus public attention on those who oppose a Fair Vote.

For those who say they will support HB15, please send their names to Rep. Tim Bearden as well. Rep. Bearden's email address is garep68@yahoo.com. He will need to coordinate with the other supporters of HB15.

As far as contacting Representatives, E-mails usually get little response since they get so many their staff people flip through them and usually discard those whose names they don't recognize.

Faxes are better and cards/letters even better, but slow. Phone calls where you request a personal contact with the Representative are best. Usually, you'll get an assistant who will want to know what you want to talk about. Tell them, and say you expect to hear directly from the Representative as your future support depends on it. Leave your number.

When you talk to the Representative the key words are: "How could any fair minded person refuse to give the people the right to a fair vote on their State flag ? What harm do you see in allowing all the people to fairly select from the leading popular flags regardless of your own personal choice? Are you telling me you support the idea of depriving a majority of Georgians their right to vote?"

Whatever your communication, be firm and resolute, but courteous and respectful.

If you can't locate your Representative's local phone numbers go to state government website link below.

Find Contact Info for House Reps Here - [Click the names for more info]

Hopefully, most of you know who your state representative is, but if not you can look it up online. For those who are registered to vote, you can look up your state Senate and House districts here. Note that new districts took effect for the November 2004 election and that the General Assembly website still has the legislators seated in Nov.2002 listed. There are some lame ducks included on their site now; the newly elected legislators will be listed soon. We understand that the General Assembly website is being updated.

Trust me, many aides of the legislators will look it up to see whether you are registered to vote in the Representative's district. Calls and letters from registered voters GET ATTENTION. Those from others get little or none.

Thanks for your help in getting the votes we all need. Some Representatives have told us that the flag is no issue in their district. Is that right? CHARGE!

Jeff Davis
Chairman, Georgia Heritage Coalition

J. A. Davis is a retired radio and television journalist living in Gainesville, Georgia. He is volunteer Chairman of the Georgia Heritage Coalition.

Find Contact Info for House Reps Here - [Click the names for more info]

2005 State Flag Fair Vote bill - HB15

Contact: Telephone 770 297-4788 P-6, 2360 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesvlle, GA 30501