ATLANTA- The Georgia House of Representatives today passed Senate Resolution 274 by a vote of 158 to 1. This legislation, which was introduced in the House by State Representative Roger Williams (R-Dalton), designates the tulip poplar tree adjacent to Dalton City Hall as the official Liberty Tree of Georgia.“The tree is not only a historical monument, but it also represents the ideals of this great nation,” said Representative Williams. “I am proud that Dalton, Georgia is home to this great symbol.”
The American concept of the Liberty Tree originated in Boston in 1765 when the Sons of Liberty chose a stately elm under which to voice their opposition to the Stamp Act, a British tax imposed on newspapers and official documents. The tradition of Liberty Trees spread throughout the colonies as the American Revolution began, with the 13 colonies adopting Liberty Trees to serve as gathering and rallying places at a time when the British Crown did not recognize Americans’ right to peaceful public assembly.
The last original Liberty Tree was located in Annapolis, Maryland, on the campus of St. John’s College until 1999. The tree was damaged in Hurricane Floyd and removed after standing proudly for more than 400 years. Fourteen offspring from the Maryland Liberty Tree were salvaged, and the American Forests organization and the Providence Forum coordinated a plan to place one descendant from the last surviving Liberty Tree in each of the 13 original colonies, plus one sapling at Mount Vernon to honor George Washington. The American Forests organization and the Providence Forum partnered with the Georgia Urban Forest Council in selecting Dalton, Georgia, as the most fitting location for Georgia’s tree. They cited the city’s aggressive urban forestry policies and praised the work of the Dalton Tree Board. Georgia’s designated descendant tree was planted adjacent to Dalton City Hall on October 18, 2006.
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Representative Roger Williams represents the citizens of District 4, which includes portions of Whitfield County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and is currently Chairman of Regulated Industries Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Industrial Relations, and Ways & Means Committees.