Friday, April 9, 2004

Alan Jackson Highway closer to reality

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh's (R-Sharpsburg) resolution to rename a portion of Interstate Highway 85 for country star Alan Jackson passed the House of Representatives and is on the way to Governor Perdue's desk for his signature.

Senate Resolution 569 honors the Georgian for his outstanding accomplishments in the music industry and as a Georgia citizen. "Alan Jackson is a proud Georgian who has brought honor and distinction to our great state," stated Sen. Seabaugh. "I feel that it is fitting to honor him for his accomplishments and recognize him for his contributions to Georgia as well as country music."

The stretch of highway starts at the Coweta/Fulton county line and goes to the Sharpsburg/McCollum exit in Coweta County and will be designated 'Alan Jackson Highway.'

Jackson has sold over 40 million records; earned 30 number-one singles, of which he wrote or co-wrote 22; and won more than 80 major music industry awards. Jackson, and his wife, Denise, also have been extended the honor of naming an emergency shelter for the children of Newnan and Coweta County which will break ground soon. The Jackson's named the shelter 'Angel's House', because they want the children at the facility to feel protected, loved, and safe.

Jackson recently donated a Corvette for a raffle that will add to the fund for the construction of the shelter.

Also, Seabaugh’s resolution to rename a portion of State Route 70 in honor of the late George William Potts passed the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting the Governor's signature. Senate Resolution 626 honors Potts, a former legislator, for his outstanding character and service to his community. One of his most outstanding achievements as a State Representative was the extension of Interstate 85 to Newnan, Georgia.

"George Potts was an incredible man who achieved great things during his lifetime," stated Sen. Seabaugh. "He was beloved by his community, his constituents, and dedicated his life to serving others. It is a real privilege to pay tribute and express our gratitude to him in this way."

George Potts served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1953 to 1970, working with six governors during that time. He also was a teacher at Starr’s High School in Turin, Georgia. He was born in Coweta County and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mercer University. The stretch of highway to be renamed "George W. Potts Highway" begins at the intersection of Macedonia Road and Buddy West Road and will extend northward to the Coweta County boundary.