Bill Text: GA HR610 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Harris Neck Land Trust; pursue return of land from federal government to McIntosh County; recognize
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-22 - House Second Readers [HR610 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-HR610-Introduced.html
11 LC
94 4608
House
Resolution 610
By:
Representatives Williams of the
165th,
Brooks of the
63rd,
Abrams of the
84th,
Smyre of the
132nd,
Tinubu of the
60th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
the Harris Neck Land Trust as the legal entity pursuing the return of the 2,687
acres of land in McIntosh County from the federal government and supporting
these efforts; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
in 1942, the land known as Harris Neck, located in the northeast corner of
McIntosh County, Georgia, was home to approximately 75 families and had been
home to these families since the land was legally bequeathed to them, via the
last will and testament of Margret Ann Harris, on September 2, 1865;
and
WHEREAS,
the land and waters in and around Harris Neck provided this community with its
essential livelihood, and the community had lived in harmony with its natural
environment from 1865 to 1942, with a completely sustainable and self-sufficient
way of life; and
WHEREAS,
the federal government took the 2,687 acres of land, that was the home and
livelihood of the community known as Harris Neck, from these 75 families in July
of 1942, under the auspices of eminent domain; and
WHEREAS,
this particular implementation of eminent domain was highly illegal and violated
the Constitutional rights of all members of the community; and
WHEREAS,
in 1942, the federal government promised that these 2,687 acres of Harris Neck
would be returned to the rightful owners, the 75 families, at the end of World
War II; and
WHEREAS,
certain officials and residents of McIntosh County conspired to gain control of
the land of Harris Neck from the federal government at the end of World War II,
and in fact, did so; and
WHEREAS,
the contract between the Federal War Assets Administration and McIntosh County,
signed in 1947, stipulated that Harris Neck be used only as an airport for the
county; and
WHEREAS,
the federal government took back the 2,687 acres from McIntosh County in 1961
for contract violation and then transferred ownership of the land to the
Department of Interior in 1962; and
WHEREAS,
the Department of Interior established a National Wildlife Refuge on the 2,687
acres of Harris Neck which has been managed by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service since that time; and
WHEREAS,
the actions of the federal government in 1942 and after World War II took away
the livelihood of the community of Harris Neck, and the transfer of title to the
Department of Interior was improper, invalid, and illegal, since the original
taking of Harris Neck was illegal; and
WHEREAS,
the federal government's giving of Harris Neck to McIntosh County destroyed the
community of Harris Neck and the entire way of life of the families that called
Harris Neck their home and led to great hardship and suffering for the people of
this community; and
WHEREAS,
former members of the Harris Neck community have formed the Harris Neck Land
Trust, which represents the original families of Harris Neck and their
descendants; and
WHEREAS,
the Harris Neck Land Trust has agreed to protect the six existing ponds of
Harris Neck, all of which were created by United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, and all the migratory birds that use these ponds, in perpetuity, once
the land is returned by the federal government to the rightful owners;
and
WHEREAS,
once the land is returned by the federal government, the trust will protect the
lands and waters and natural habitats of Harris Neck in perpetuity, will use the
land in environmentally sensitive ways, and will restrict future sales and uses
of the land; and
WHEREAS,
the Harris Neck Land Trust is now representing the original families of Harris
Neck and their descendants with present and ongoing efforts to have a bill
introduced in Congress that will result in the return of the 2,687 acres of land
of Harris Neck to its rightful owners, the living former members of the Harris
Neck community and their descendants; and
WHEREAS,
the McIntosh County Board of County Commissioners acknowledged the wrongdoing of
county officials and residents in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's with respect to
the Harris Neck community and unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the
Harris Neck Land Trust as the official entity pursuing the return of the 2,687
acres of Harris Neck from the federal government and supporting the trust's
present efforts to reclaim this land on January 9, 2007; and
WHEREAS,
it is fitting that the legislature of the State of Georgia recognizes the Harris
Neck Land Trust as the legal entity pursuing the return of the 2,687 acres of
Harris Neck on behalf of all the families of Harris Neck, and their descendants,
and supports the efforts of the trust.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize the Harris Neck Land Trust as the legal entity pursuing the
return of the 2,687 acres of Harris Neck and express their support of the
trust's efforts to return this land to its rightful owners.
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 Harris
Neck Land Trust.
