Monthly Archives: May 2013

With the signing this afternoon by Gov. Nathan Deal of House Bill 287, the Georgia Archives officially moves to the University System of Georgia.

About two dozen Archives supporters, including several members of the Georgia Genealogical Society, attended the signing. Among the attendees was Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-150) from Dublin, who was the principal author of the bill and an avid supporter of the Archives during the 2013 legislative session.

After the short ceremony, people left the governor’s office to make way for the next signing, stopping to chat and say their good-byes on the way out of the capitol.

They were greeted with a surprise when they exited the capitol. All alone, walking around the capitol, was Morrow Mayor J. B. Burke. The mayor, a great friend of the Georgia Archives and the Georgia Genealogical Society, was carrying a sign thanking the governor and Archives advocates for their support in making the transition a reality. “This is a great day for Georgia,” exclaimed.

His unexpected one-man parade served as a perfect exclamation point on a hopeful day for the Georgia Archives.

Vivian Price Saffold

Gov. Nathan Deal will sign House Bill 287 on Monday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the governor’s office at the state capitol.

The bill transfers the Georgia Archives to the University System of Georgia from the Georgia Secretary of State.

Anyone who is interested may gather in the governor’s office. Of course, not all of us will be invited into the inner office for the official signing and photograph, but we certainly can be there.

I know it’s short notice, but it would be great to see all those same stalwart volunteers who filled the governor’s office last fall back again… this time to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Vivian Price Saffold