Freedom; live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University; condolences

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Burns

Ceremonial resolution honoring and offering condolences for Freedom, Georgia Southern University’s live bald eagle mascot, recognizing his contributions to wildlife education and u

House Read and Adopted

Summary — H. Res. 911 (House Resolution)

Title: Freedom; live bald eagle mascot of Georgia Southern University; condolences
Bill Type: House resolution (ceremonial)
Bill Number: H.R. 911
Introduced: February 4, 2025
Status: Adopted by the House (placed on and adopted from Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions/Local & Consent Calendars; reported enrolled May 24, 2025)
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Jon Burns (GA-?) and Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (PA-?)
Cosponsors: Claudia Tenney; Seth Magaziner; Thomas R. Suozzi; Josh Riley; Angie Craig; George Latimer; Nellie Pou; Jefferson Van Drew; Nicole Malliotakis; Melanie A. Stansbury; Gabe Vasquez; Laura Gillen (listed in bill text)
Committee Referral: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Purpose and intent

H. Res. 911 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes and honors “Freedom,” the male Southern bald eagle that served as the live mascot and wildlife ambassador for Georgia Southern University. The resolution acknowledges Freedom’s life, service to wildlife education and the university community, and expresses the House’s condolences on his passing.

Key provisions

Officially recognizes and honors the life, contributions, and legacy of Freedom, the Southern bald eagle associated with Georgia Southern University.

Notes factual background about Freedom:

Rescued in 2004 from a nest in Maitland, Florida after sustaining a permanent beak injury that prevented release to the wild.
Housed at Georgia Southern’s Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center with permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Served as an ambassador through flights at sporting events (including Allen E. Paulson Stadium pre-game flights), appearances at the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade, commencement ceremonies, and numerous educational/community events.
Contributed to wildlife education and conservation outreach.

Expresses the House’s deepest condolences on Freedom’s death (recorded in the text as March 29, 2025).

Directs the Clerk of the House to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Georgia Southern University.

Who is affected / impact

Primary beneficiaries: Georgia Southern University, the Center for Wildlife Education, the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center, students, alumni, local and regional communities that engaged with Freedom.

Broader effect: symbolic recognition of wildlife education and conservation outreach efforts; no regulatory, statutory, or fiscal changes.

This is a non-binding, ceremonial resolution intended to honor a cultural and educational symbol rather than to create legal obligations or appropriations.

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced in the House: February 4, 2025.

Placed on Local & Consent and Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions calendars; considered and adopted by the House (records show adoption/laid before the House on April 2, 2025 and again placed/ adopted May 23–24, 2025).

Reported enrolled: May 24, 2025.

The Clerk is authorized to provide the resolution to Georgia Southern University as a formal copy.

Bottom line

H. Res. 911 is a ceremonial House resolution that formally honors the life and service of Freedom, Georgia Southern University’s live bald eagle mascot, offers condolences on his passing, and recognizes his role in wildlife education and university tradition. It carries symbolic significance but no legal or budgetary effect.