10 LC 94
2194
House
Resolution 1436
By:
Representatives Geisinger of the
48th,
Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Lindsey of the
54th,
Willard of the
49th,
McCall of the
30th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Honoring
the life and memory of Mr. John Augustus Wayt, Jr.; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Mr. John Augustus Wayt, Jr., on February 5, 2010;
and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Wayt was born in Atlanta, Georgia, graduated from North Fulton High School,
and in 1948 earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of
Virginia; and
WHEREAS,
upon his graduation from college, Mr. Wayt returned home to Georgia to manage
his father's farm, Seven Branches; and
WHEREAS,
he joined the Shakerag Hounds, a fox-hunting club, and came up with an idea of
holding a steeplechase in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS,
since the Atlanta Steeplechase's inaugural race in 1966, the event has grown
from a backyard picnic along the Chattahoochee River with tailgating and
socializing to a major event deemed the city's best lawn party; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Wayt served as chairman of the Atlanta Steeplechase until the early 2000's
overseeing its move to three different locations over the past five decades,
from two locations on his family's property to its current location at Kingston
Downs between Cartersville and Rome; and
WHEREAS,
an Eagle Scout, Mr. Wayt was awarded the National Steeplechase Association's
highest honor in 2000, the Frederick Ambrose Clark Award, and he was recognized
with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Thoroughbred Owners and
Breeders Association; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Wayt was united in love and marriage to his adoring wife, Martha, and was
blessed with the love of four children, Jim, John, Rebecca, and Marty, and four
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS,
he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for
integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness and, by the example he made of
his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS,
a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Wayt will long be remembered for his
legacy of the Atlanta Steeplechase, and this loyal husband, father, brother,
grandfather, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of
knowing him.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mr. John Augustus Wayt, Jr.,
and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of
Mr. John Augustus Wayt, Jr.