Bill Text: GA HR1974 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Capitol Arts Standards Commission; hang portrait of Honorable Griffin Boyette Bell; request
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-04-20 - House Second Readers [HR1974 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-HR1974-Introduced.html
10 LC
94 2893
House
Resolution 1974
By:
Representatives Smith of the
113th,
Cheokas of the
134th,
Smyre of the
132nd,
Porter of the
143rd,
Brooks of the
63rd,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that the Capitol Art Standards Commission consider hanging a portrait of the
Honorable Griffin Boyette Bell at the capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Honorable Griffin Boyette Bell was one of Georgia's most distinguished
public servants, innovative legal minds, and civil rights advocates;
and
WHEREAS,
Judge Bell served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty in the
United States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans
during World War II as a major; and
WHEREAS,
he completed his undergraduate studies at Georgia Southwestern College and went
on to graduate cum laude from Mercer University Law School in Macon, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
after he was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1947, Judge Bell practiced in
Savannah and Rome, Georgia, before joining the Atlanta law firm of King and
Spalding in 1953, where he rose to the level of managing partner in 1958;
and
WHEREAS,
Judge Bell began his career as a public servant in 1959 with his honorary
position as Chief of Staff to Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver, advising the
Governor for over two and a half years before being appointed by President John
F. Kennedy in October of 1961 to serve as a United States Circuit Judge on the
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS,
during his 15 years on the federal bench, Judge Bell supervised the creation of
dozens of school desegregation plans, playing an integral role in defusing
racial tensions of the time and paving the way for peaceful desegregation of
public schools in Georgia and other states; and
WHEREAS,
Judge Bell's integrity, professionalism, and sharp legal mind were qualities his
childhood neighbor President Jimmy Carter admired, and in 1976, the President
nominated this great Georgian for the position of Attorney General for the
United States; and
WHEREAS,
on January 26, 1977, Griffin B. Bell was sworn in as the 72nd United States
Attorney General by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger; and
WHEREAS,
during his tenure as Attorney General, Judge Bell helped rehabilitate the United
States Justice Department's severely damaged reputation which was caused by the
Watergate scandal of the early 1970's; and
WHEREAS,
after the conclusion of his term as United States Attorney General, this dean of
Georgia lawyers continued his remarkable legal career specializing in conducting
internal, page-turning investigations for corporations in legal distress such as
E.F. Hutton, after its financial scandal; Exxon, after the Exxon Valdez oil
spill in Alaska; and Dow Corning, after the company's silicone implants were
linked to health risks; and
WHEREAS,
one of the most important Georgians of the 20th century, Judge Bell was known
for his integrity, professionalism, sense of humor, and charm, and the State of
Georgia is proud to have been called home by such a respected and accomplished
individual; and
WHEREAS,
a portrait of this trusted and enduring public figure, principled statesman, and
strong defender of the First Amendment would be an appropriate addition to the
halls of this state's capitol.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body request that the Capitol Art Standards Commission consider hanging a
portrait of the Honorable Griffin Boyette Bell at the capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Capitol
Art Standards Commission and Clerk of the House of Representatives.
