A RESOLUTION

Designating April of each year as Confederate History and Heritage Month; urging schools to commemorate the time of Southern independence; designating the John B. Gordon statue on the state capitol building grounds as ONE OF Georgia´s Confederate Memorials; designating Stone Mountain Park as one of Georgia's official Confederate memorials; designating the 1956 – 2001 Georgia flag as the "Georgia Memorial Flag"; calling for the 1956 – 2001 Georgia flag to be flown over the state capitol building on Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee´s birthday; designating the 1956 Memorial Flag as THE Georgia flag to be flown throughout Stone Mountain Park on a year-round basis; designating that Stone Mountain Park----including its Memorial lawn----shall be made available to bona fide 501c3 Confederate Heritage groups for appropriate memorial services thoughout the month of April each year and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Confederate Era is among the most significant periods in the history of the United States and the State of Georgia, having both historical importance and personal significance to many Georgians; and

WHEREAS, April 26 of each year is recognized pursuant to Georgia law as Confederate Memorial Day; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that enduring memorials should be created in recognition of this unique chapter of American and Southern history.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that April of each year is designated as Confederate History and Heritage Month.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools are urged to commemorate the period of Southern independence during April of each year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the area surrounding the John B. Gordon statue on the grounds of the state capitol building is designated as A Georgia Confederate Memorial and an appropriate monument, designed by the Civil War Commission, shall be placed in the designated area, so long as it is appropriate and fitting, leaving the Gordon statue where it now stands.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the site selected and the design of the Capitol monument shall be approved by the State Properties Commission and the Civil War Commission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Civil War Commission shall have appointed to its Board of Directors no fewer than one third of the total members from qualified individuals who are members in good standing of bona fide Confederate Heritage organizations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the funds to design and construct a Capitol monument shall be raised solely through voluntary contributions to the Civil War Commission. The commission is authorized to solicit and accept gifts, donations, and grants in furtherance of this purpose and to work cooperatively with any private group, organization, association, or corporation having the same general purpose as the commission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon completion of the commission´s work, the Governor shall provide for the dedication of A Georgia Confederate Memorial monument to be placed on the grounds of the state capitol building.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Stone Mountain Park be designated an official Georgia Confederate Memorial and soldier's monument and that its governing body (currently SMMA) shall be comprised of at least one third voting members who are members in good standing in bona fide Confederate Heritage organizations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Stone Mountain Memorial Park including the Memorial Lawn, as an official Georgia Confederate Memorial and soldier's monument, shall shall be made available to bona fide 501c3 Confederate Heritage groups for appropriate memorial services throughout the month of April each year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall not be construed to preclude recognition and funding of any other Confederate monument or memorial in the State of Georgia to be designated or enacted in the future.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1956 – 2001 Georgia flag is designated as the "Georgia Memorial Flag" and shall be flown over the state capitol building on Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee´s birthday.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1956 – 2001 Georgia flag, pursuant to Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 10 (50-3-10), is designated as the "Georgia Memorial Flag" and shall be flown throughout the Stone Mountain Memorial Park----including all areas currently managed by Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. (formerly Silver Dollar City)----on a year-round basis in honor of Georgia's heroic veterans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall be directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution widely available as appropriate to encourage and promote the observation of April as Confederate History and Heritage Month.