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ATLANTA – State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) joined Gov. Brian Kemp in Savannah , as House Bill 303, the Original 33 Memorial Act, and House Bill 762, the Savannah Music Commission Act, were signed into law on May 1.
“Today is a powerful day with the signing of the Original 33 Memorial Act,” said Rep. Gilliard. “These heroic Americans can now be celebrated both at the State Capitol and through a marker program across the state of Georgia. It is only right that we memorialize them in the place that they were expelled from and memorialize them across the state so that no Georgian will forget their legacy and our history. The next step will be to begin the process of appointing members to the memorial committee in ensuring the success and completion of the monument.”
HB 303 creates the Original 33 Memorial Act, which allows for a monument, honoring the Original 33 Black legislators expelled from the General Assembly after the end of Reconstruction, to be placed on State Capitol grounds.
HB 762 creates the Savannah Music Commission to focus on the needs of Savannah’s music industry, promoting musical events, supporting musicians and fostering new opportunities for collaboration among artists, venues and the broader community. The commission will play a role in creating programs that highlight Savannah’s rich musical heritage, while attracting new talent and events to the city.
“The Savannah Music Commission will open the floodgates for record companies with opportunities for economic development through supporting venues and music festivals,” added Rep. Gilliard. “The commission is a great opportunity to guide the state of Georgia into a new era of music. I am excited for our next steps, which will be to start the process of appointing members to the commission.”
For more information and to get involved, contact Rep. Gilliard at 912-436-5325.
The full text of HB 303 may be found here, and the full text of HB 762 may be found here.