State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah) will organize a tribute program and pictorial exhibit at the Georgia State Capitol to commemorate Original 33 Memorial Day. The events are scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The tribute program will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the South Wing Steps of the Capitol, while the pictorial exhibit will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rotunda.
The tribute will focus on House Bill 303, known as the Original 33 Memorial Act, which was signed into law last year. This legislation allows for a monument honoring the Original 33 legislators to be placed on State Capitol grounds.
During the event, Rep. Gilliard will present the first Original 33 award to several individuals: former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, former Georgia Supreme Court Justice Leah Ward Sears, State Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), and State Senator Donzella James (D-Atlanta).
A segment called “say their names and ring the bell” will be conducted by current members of the General Assembly in honor of the Original 33 legislators. The program is set to conclude with a luncheon featuring a panel of descendants.
Burns, a Republican, has served in Georgia’s House of Representatives since his election in 2005 for District 159.
