RESOLUTION
NO.

WHEREAS, Camellias are indigenous to eastern and southern Asia and have been grown in the gardens of China and Japan for many centuries;

WHEREAS, the Camellia was first imported from Asia to Europe in the mid-18th century where it earned the distinction of the luxury flower of England for a period of time;

WHEREAS, Camellias first appeared in the United States in 1797, where they were cultivated in New England greenhouses before their culture spread south and west;

WHEREAS, Camellias have flourished throughout the City of Columbus for many generations, enhancing the beauty of innumerable gardens and improving the overall appearance of the city;

WHEREAS, the Camellia blooms from early fall to late spring, providing color in the midst of dreary, winter weather;

WHEREAS, growers found the Camellia to be ideally suited to the growing conditions and weather of the southern states;

WHEREAS, Magnolia Gardens in Charleston has been growing Camellias since 1848;

WHEREAS, the National Headquarters of the American Camellia Society is located at Massee Lane Gardens in Ft. Valley, Georgia;

WHEREAS, many new Camellia cultivars were created in Columbus, Georgia by Camellia enthusiasts such as John Illges, Mrs. Owen Edge, Mrs. D. Abbot Turner, R.A. Minnix and Lindsay Neill;

WHEREAS, this Council desires to designate the Camellia as the official flower of Columbus, Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:

We hereby designate the Camellia as the official flower of Columbus, Georgia. Let a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Mr. Sam Wellborn, President and Founder of the Chattahoochee Valley Camellia Society.
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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia held on the 22nd day of May, 2012, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ________ members of said Council.

Councilor Allen voting____________.
Councilor Baker voting____________.
Councilor Barnes voting___________.
Councilor Davis voting____________.
Councilor Henderson voting________.
Councilor Huff voting_____________.
Councilor McDaniel voting_________.
Councilor Pugh voting_____________.
Councilor Thomas voting___________.
Councilor Woodson voting__________.


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TINY B. WASHINGTON, CLERK TERESA PIKE TOMLINSON, MAYOR