ATLANTA – Yesterday, the Vince Dooley Memorial Intersection was dedicated in Athens, pursuant to House Resolution 522 that passed during the 2023 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The new Vince Dooley Memorial Intersection sits at the intersection of Broad Street and Lumpkin Street in downtown Athens.
“The naming of this intersection is a recognition of Coach Dooley’s impact on the greater Athens community, and I think it’s fitting it is at the intersection of UGA’s campus and the community,” said State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens), who authored the resolution to name the intersection. “We certainly know the impact Coach Dooley had on the University of Georgia and his resume as a football coach, but his impact was so much broader. He changed the lives of so many people in our community, and he positively impacted the Athens area and entire state in numerous ways.”
During the ceremony, Rep. Gaines provided introductory remarks and spoke of Coach Dooley’s impact and shared memories of his time getting to know Coach Dooley while growing up in Athens. Governor Brian Kemp and University of Georgia President Jere Morehead provided comments about Coach Dooley’s legacy. Barbara Dooley, wife of the late football coach, also provided remarks and reflected on her and her husband’s time in Athens. In addition to Governor Kemp and President Morehead, First Lady Marty Kemp, UGA Athletic Director Josh Brooks, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and other local officials were in attendance.
During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Gaines introduced House Resolution 522 to honor the late University of Georgia football coach by dedicating the intersection of U.S. Route 78 (Broad St.) and Lumpkin St. in downtown Athens as the Vince Dooley Memorial Intersection. This resolution was incorporated into House Resolution 256, which serves as the Georgia General Assembly’s annual road/bridge dedication legislation.
*Editor’s note: photos from the Vince Dooley Memorial Intersection unveiling ceremony are attached.
Representative Houston Gaines represents the citizens of District 120, which includes portions of Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the House Majority Caucus and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. He also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Ethics, Governmental Affairs, Insurance, Public Health, Urban Affairs and Ways & Means committees.
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