From the upper chamber 2006 February 8

Report for Wednesday, February 8, 2006
The fifteenth day of the 2006 legislative session was called to order by Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor.
Senator Don Thomas of the 54th stated that the journal had been read and was found to be correct.
House Bills 728, 912, 1192, 1197-1199, 1201, 1202, 1207, 1208 and 1210 were read for the first time and assigned to their respective Committees.
There were no reports of Standing Committees, or second reading of Senate Bills and Resolutions. The morning roll call was then taken.
Lt. Gov. Taylor then recognized Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th to lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sen. Staton introduced the Chaplain of the Day, Pastor David Franklin of Mabel White Baptist Church in Macon, who led the Senate in the daily devotional.
Lt. Gov. Taylor then recognized Sen. Vincent Fort of the 39th, who took the rostrum to introduce the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Howard Yager of Atlanta.
Lt. Gov. Taylor then announced that the state Senate will hold a memorial service for Secretary of the Senate Frank Eldridge next week.
Sen. Steve Thompson of the 33rd took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to speak in fond memory of Secretary Eldridge and former state Sen. Rene Kemp.
President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to speak in memory of Secretary Eldridge and former Sen. Rene Kemp. He also thanked Senate staff members for their hard work over the weekend, assisting with funeral arrangements and other matters.
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, February 8, 2006
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Sen. Fort took the well on a Point of Personal Privilege to speak in memory of former Sen. Rene Kemp.
Lt. Gov. Taylor invited the Senate to sign resolutions honoring the lives of Secretary Eldridge and Sen. Rene Kemp.
Senate Resolutions 805-813 were read and adopted.
President Pro Tem Johnson took the well to read a resolution that asks the Senate to grant the powers of the Secretary of the Senate to the Assistant Secretary Bob Ewing. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
The Local Consent Calendar, consisting of Senate Bills 496 and 497, passed by a vote of 48-1.
The Secretary read SB 468, which would establish a grant program for high performance principals who choose to work at a "needs improvement" school.
Sen. Dan Moody of the 56th took the well to present the bill, which is a part of the governor's education plan for 2006. He yielded to questions from Senators Thompson of the 33rd and Ralph Hudgens of the 47th.
SB 468 passed by a vote of 44-2.
The Secretary read the Committee Substitute to SB 425, which is known as the Georgia Child, Family and School Communications Act, and an accompanying amendment.
Sen. Greg Goggans of the 7th took the well to present the bill, which would prohibit the transmission certain electronic messages to minors. He explained his amendment to the bill and stated that the bill has the support of the entire Senate.
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 35-0.
The Committee Substitute to SB 425 was adopted as amended by a vote of 42-0.
SB 425 passed by substitute by a vote of 49-0.
The Secretary read SR 803, which recognizes the Rally Foundation for its non-profit work in childhood cancer research.
Lt. Gov. Taylor and Sen. Judson Hill of the 32nd then presented a copy of the resolution to former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine, who is an official spokesperson of the Rally Foundation.
Majority Leader Tommie Williams of the 19th moved the Senate stand in recess until the dissolution of the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate to hear
From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, February 8, 2006
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from U.S. Major General William Webster, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, and then adjourn until Thursday, February 9, at 9:00 a.m.
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From the Upper Chamber Wednesday, February 8, 2006
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