Latest news with #CarlGilliard
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Gilliard Celebrates Final Passage of the Original 33 Memorial Act
ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) – State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) announces the final passage of House Bill 303, The Original 33 Memorial Act, in the Georgia State Senate, where it was unanimously approved. The legislation had previously received unanimous approval in the Georgia House of Representatives. 'I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Chairman Matt Brass for his dedicated leadership in carrying this bill through the Senate,' said Rep. Gilliard. 'Today, we honor the giants—the Original 33 African Americans elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1868. Unfortunately, they were denied their rightful place in history due to the color of their skin, with 14 of them suffering the unimaginable fate of lynching.' The Original 33 Memorial Act aims to honor and commemorate the lives and contributions of 33 great Americans. 'With the passage of this bill, we collectively send a powerful signal that Georgia remembers and recognizes the contributions of these 33 courageous Americans,' added Rep. Gilliard. 'Finally, we can salute these great leaders and celebrate their legacy and sacrifices.' HB 303 now heads to the governor's desk. The full text of HB 303 may be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Gilliard celebrates passage of Savannah Music Commission bill
ATLANTA, Ga. – State Representative Carl Gilliard (District 162) stated his support for the passage of House Bill 762, which would establish the Savannah Music Commission. The bill, which garnered unanimous support in the Georgia House of Representatives, aims to promote, enhance and benefit the Savannah music scene and local entertainment and music industry. 'This is a monumental step forward for Savannah and the entire music community,' said Rep. Gilliard. 'The establishment of the Savannah Music Commission will not only elevate local artists and musicians but also enhance Savannah's reputation as a vibrant cultural hub, driving tourism and economic growth in our region.' HB 762 would create a commission to support Savannah's music industry through promotion and support of local musicians and new collaborative opportunities among artists, venues and the broader community. This board would create programs to highlight the rich musical heritage of the Hostess City while attracting new talent and events. Rep. Gilliard feels that strengthening the music industry would lead to increased economic activity, creating jobs in various sectors and make Savannah a musical destination. 'We envision a future where Savannah's streets are alive with music, drawing visitors from near and far to experience our unique culture,' said Gilliard. 'The overwhelming support for HB 762 underscores the importance of music in Georgia's cultural fabric and the potential for growth in the state's entertainment landscape. This commission will empower our local artists and foster creativity in ways that benefit not just musicians but the entire community.' The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate. To read the full text of HB 762, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Savannah native honored on Georgia house floor for winning Super Bowl
ATLANTA (WSAV) — On Tuesday, Savannah native Nolan Smith was honored at the Georgia capitol for winning the Super Bowl. State representatives Carl Gilliard, Ron Stephens, Bill Hitchens, Anne Allen Westbrook and Edna Jackson presented House Resolution 313. Part of the resolution reads, 'The members of this body honor Nolan Sental Smith Jr. for his extraordinary accomplishments, heart for service, and unwavering commitment to inspiring others to chase their dreams and make a positive difference in the world.' Nolan spent two years at Calvary Day before attending IMG Academy. Then he went on to help the Georgia Bulldogs win two national championships. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House committee passes autism missing person alert system
ATLANTA (WSAV) — House Bill 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act, passed unanimously out of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee, a local legislator said Friday. HB 465 would add autism spectrum disorder to the list of conditions to activate the Mattie's Call state-wide alert system for missing disabled adults. This activation would allow for local law enforcement to prioritize searching waterways and roadways, which is part of Mattie's Call. It would also allow for law enforcement to disclose autism-related behaviors that could help identifying a missing person with autism spectrum disorder, bill sponsor State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) said. Activation of the alert system for those with autism spectrum disorder would include guidance to local law enforcement to prioritize waterways and public roadways in their search and to disclose distinctive autism-related behaviors that can identify the missing person. 'Today, I am proud to see House Bill 465, the Autism Missing Person Alert System Act, pass unanimously out of the House Human Relations and Aging Committee,' said Rep. Gilliard. 'This is a vital step forward in ensuring that individuals with autism spectrum disorder, who may be at increased risk of going missing, are given the attention and resources they deserve. I applaud the committee for their dedication to advancing this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it continue its journey through the legislative process to better protect our most vulnerable citizens. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for their hard work and collaboration in helping to shape this legislation.' HB 465 will now be considered by the House Rules Committee. You can read the full bill here: 20252026-232492Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Honoring Black legislators denied entry to GA General Assembly in 1868
ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) — A hearing will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB) in Atlanta. The hearing will focus on the historic injustices faced by the original 33 Black legislators who were denied entry into the Georgia General Assembly in 1868. This pivotal moment is part of House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Carl Gilliard (Chair Emeritus of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC)) aimed at recognizing these American heroes and their indelible mark on history. These original legislators, many of whom were influential African American ministers, paved the way for generations to come. Despite their monumental contributions, 14 of these leaders tragically faced lynching, a stark reminder of the violent resistance to African American political engagement during Reconstruction. House Bill 303 seeks to formally acknowledge the legacies of these legislators. It is imperative that the voices and stories of these trailblazers are recognized, especially in light of the ongoing struggles for civil rights and social justice. For more than five decades, advocates have worked to pass similar legislation through the Georgia General Assembly, making this hearing a crucial step towards justice and recognition. This hearing is not just about honoring those who should have been recognized over a century ago; it represents a step towards healing and reconciliation for Georgians still affected by the shadows of history. Support from the public is encouraged to ensure that the sacrifices and achievements of these legislators are duly celebrated and remembered. The hearing at the Cloverdell Legislative Office Building at 18 Capitol Square in Atlanta is open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
