Rep. Carl Gilliard to Host Original 33 Memorial Day at the State Capitol

ATLANTA - State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) will host a tribute program and pictorial exhibit to recognize the Original 33 Memorial Day at the State Capitol. The tribute program will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the South Wing Steps of the State Capitol. The pictorial exhibit will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

During the program, Rep. Gilliard will highlight House Bill 303, the Original 33 Memorial Act, which was signed into law last year and allows for a monument honoring the Original 33 to be placed on State Capitol grounds. Rep. Gilliard will also present the inaugural Original 33 award to former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, former Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin, former Georgia Supreme Court Justice Leah Ward Sears, State Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and State Senator Donzella James (D-Atlanta).

The program will also feature a "say their names and ring the bell" for the Original 33 legislators by current legislators of the General Assembly. The program will conclude with a luncheon with the panel of descendants.

TRIBUTE PROGRAM

WHO: Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah)

WHAT: Original 33 Memorial Day Tribute Program

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Georgia State Capitol, South Wing Steps, 206 Washington Street S.W., Atlanta, GA 30334

PICTORIAL EXHIBIT

WHO: Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah)

WHAT: Original 33 Memorial Day Pictorial Exhibit

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

WHERE: Georgia State Capitol, Rotunda, 206 Washington Street S.W., Atlanta, GA 30334

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