Bill

SR 531

Freedom; recognize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Max Burns and 4 co-sponsors

Recognizes Freedom, a live male Southern bald eagle and GSU mascot, for wildlife education and community pride; expresses Senate condolences and honors his legacy.

Senate Read and Adopted

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · SR 531

Summary — Senate Resolution 531 (SR 531)

Title: Freedom; recognize
Classification: Senate resolution
Status: Read and adopted (Senate) — final action recorded May 19, 2025

Purpose

SR 531 formally recognizes and honors “Freedom,” a live male Southern bald eagle that served as the mascot and wildlife ambassador for Georgia Southern University (GSU). The resolution commemorates Freedom’s life, contributions to wildlife education and community engagement, and expresses the Georgia State Senate’s condolences following his death on March 29, 2025.

Key provisions / content

Recognizes Freedom’s history: rescued from a nest in Maitland, Florida, in 2004; sustained a permanent beak injury that prevented return to the wild.
Notes that, with authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Freedom was housed at GSU’s Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center.
Describes Freedom’s role as a living symbol of GSU and “Eagle Nation,” including appearances and flights at:
- Home football games (soaring over Allen E. Paulson Stadium)
- Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Commencement ceremonies
- Educational and community events across Georgia and nationally
Honors Freedom’s contributions to wildlife education, conservation awareness, and community pride.
Expresses the Senate’s condolences on Freedom’s passing.
Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and make an appropriate copy of the resolution available to Georgia Southern University.

Who is affected / impacted

Primarily symbolic: the resolution honors the memory of Freedom and recognizes the contributions of GSU’s Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center.
Affected stakeholders include Georgia Southern students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader community that engaged with Freedom’s outreach and events.
No regulatory, fiscal, or programmatic changes are created for state agencies.

Legal effect

SR 531 is a commemorative, non-binding resolution expressing the sentiment of the Georgia Senate. It does not create legal rights, obligations, or appropriations.