Bill Text: GA SR274 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Liberty Tree of Georgia; designate tulip poplaradjacent to Dalton City Hall
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-06-03 - Effective Date [SR274 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR274-Enrolled.html
09 LC 94
0179
Senate
Resolution 274
By:
Senators Thomas of the 54th and Mullis of the 53rd
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Designating
the tulip poplar adjacent to Dalton City Hall planted October 18, 2006, in
Dalton, Georgia, as the official Liberty Tree of Georgia; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the American concept of the Liberty Tree originated in Boston in 1765 when the
Sons of Liberty chose a stately elm under which to voice their opposition to the
Stamp Act, a British tax imposed on newspapers and official documents;
and
WHEREAS,
the tradition of Liberty Trees spread throughout the colonies as the American
Revolution began, with the 13 colonies adopting Liberty Trees to serve as
gathering and rallying places at a time when the British Crown did not recognize
Americans' right to peaceful public assembly; and
WHEREAS,
the last of the original Liberty Trees was located in Annapolis, Maryland, on
the campus of St. John's College until 1999, when it was damaged in Hurricane
Floyd and removed after standing proudly and serving as a symbolic
representation of America's desire for independence for more than 400 years;
and
WHEREAS,
fourteen offspring from the Maryland Liberty Tree were salvaged, and the
American Forests organization and the Providence Forum coordinated a plan to
place one descendant from the last surviving Liberty Tree in each of the 13
original colonies and one sapling at Mount Vernon to honor George Washington;
and
WHEREAS,
the American Forests organization and the Providence Forum partnered with the
Georgia Urban Forest Council in selecting Dalton, Georgia, as the most fitting
location for Georgia's tree, citing the city's aggressive urban forestry
policies and praising the work of the Dalton Tree Board; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's Liberty Tree was proudly planted in Dalton on October 18, 2006;
and
WHEREAS,
October 18, 2007, was designated "Liberty Tree Day" in Whitfield County,
Georgia, by the mayor and council of the City of Dalton and the Board of
Commissioners of Whitfield County; and
WHEREAS,
the tulip poplar planted in Dalton, Georgia, on October 18, 2006, serves as a
symbol of the independence and freedom that America fought valiantly for during
the Revolutionary War and the ideals and hopes of this country's founding
fathers.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members
join in designating the tulip poplar located adjacent to the City Hall in
Dalton, Georgia, to be a direct descendant of the last surviving Liberty Tree
and the official Liberty Tree of Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the mayor of the City of
Dalton and the chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of Whitfield County.
