|
03 LC 21 7392
House Bill
899
By: Representatives Mosby of the 59th, Post 3, Bruce of the 45th, Fludd of the 48th, Post 4, Brooks of the 47th, Mangham of the 62nd, and others
By: Representatives Mosby of the 59th, Post 3, Bruce of the 45th, Fludd of the 48th, Post 4, Brooks of the 47th, Mangham of the 62nd, and others
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the state flag and other flags, so as to
provide a statement of intent; to provide that no flag which is similar in
appearance to or depicts an image of a flag or other symbol identified with any
nation or entity which has ever declared or prosecuted a war against the United
States of America shall be considered an official state symbol or be flown or
displayed on any state property or institution; to provide an exception for
museum display; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to the state flag and other flags, is amended by
inserting at the end thereof the
following:
"50-3-12.
(a) The United States of America has on several occasions been brutally attacked without provocation by her enemies. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked American civilian aircraft and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a brutal surprise attack against American forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On April 12, 1861, gunners of what would evolve into the Army of the Confederate States of America bombarded and ultimately forced the capitulation of a United States garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The General Assembly is proud of the fact that Georgia was one of the thirteen states that founded the United States of America and today stands proud in her defense against all enemies. It is the intent of the General Assembly that no symbol identified with a nation or entity that has ever prosecuted a war against our beloved country ever be a part of our state image.
(b) Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, on and after July 1, 2003, no flag or banner which is substantially similar in appearance to or which depicts the image of a flag or other symbol identified with any nation or entity which has ever declared or prosecuted a war against the United States of America shall be considered an official state symbol. No such flag or banner shall be flown or displayed on any state property or institution; provided, however, that this subsection shall not prohibit the display of historic flags in a bona fide museum setting on state property."
"50-3-12.
(a) The United States of America has on several occasions been brutally attacked without provocation by her enemies. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked American civilian aircraft and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a brutal surprise attack against American forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On April 12, 1861, gunners of what would evolve into the Army of the Confederate States of America bombarded and ultimately forced the capitulation of a United States garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. The General Assembly is proud of the fact that Georgia was one of the thirteen states that founded the United States of America and today stands proud in her defense against all enemies. It is the intent of the General Assembly that no symbol identified with a nation or entity that has ever prosecuted a war against our beloved country ever be a part of our state image.
(b) Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, on and after July 1, 2003, no flag or banner which is substantially similar in appearance to or which depicts the image of a flag or other symbol identified with any nation or entity which has ever declared or prosecuted a war against the United States of America shall be considered an official state symbol. No such flag or banner shall be flown or displayed on any state property or institution; provided, however, that this subsection shall not prohibit the display of historic flags in a bona fide museum setting on state property."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.