The recent Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning gave viewers a glimpse of the relatively untold story of James A. Garfield, the nation’s 20th president. His presidency, which spanned just six months in 1881, ended when he was assassinated by a deluded individual who had unsuccessfully sought appointment to his administration.
But on May 30, 1868, over a decade prior to his election as president, then-Congressman Garfield was chosen to deliver remarks at Arlington National Cemetery for the first national observance of Memorial Day (or Decoration Day, as it was known then), where his background—and heroics in Georgia—made him uniquely equipped to deliver such an address.
We take a moment to remember Garfield’s speech in this week’s commentary.
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest 🗞️
On the governor’s final day to sign or veto legislation from this year’s session, the long wait for legislators and lobbyists finally ended. Just not in the way many would have hoped. Then, before the ink was even dry on the session’s final documents, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a special legislative session to convene on June 17.
Every year, thousands of Georgia parents fill out lottery applications for schools their children may never get to attend. Not because they can’t afford it, but because thousands of other Georgia families want the same thing and there simply aren’t enough seats. That school is a public charter school.
This year’s session was dominated by a pair of tax debates: one over income taxes and one concerning property taxes. The opposition to each plan featured the common complaint that each amounted to “cutting” revenues–i.e., the ability to spend more taxpayer dollars–year over year well into the future. Only in Washington, D.C., could anyone believe that was true.
While a great deal of focus on education policy in Georgia has revolved around school choice policies and education finance, there are significant changes taking place inside the classroom as well. Georgia has joined several states in addressing early literacy, that fundamental period for students that typically begins around age 5.
Peach Picks 🍑
Gov. Kemp signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency and suspending the state’s gas tax for two weeks. This suspension went into effect on May 20 and runs through June 3.
Gov. Kemp announced that Unified Legacy, a Georgia-based precision metal fabrication and manufacturing company, is expanding its existing footprint in Macon-Bibb County. The company will invest $125 million in a new manufacturing facility in Macon, creating 500 new jobs over the next several years in Bibb County.
Hotel bookings for the World Cup this summer are looking soft among host cities, but a new report suggests Atlanta is outperforming most of its U.S. peers. The American Hotel & Lodging Association surveyed hoteliers across the 11U.S. markets that will host World Cup matches.
DeKalb County launched a new program on May 20 requiring anyone advertising short-term rentals to obtain a license within 30 days. “A short-term rental is the rental of any room, lodging, or overnight accommodation for a period not exceeding 30 consecutive days, including properties advertised through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and similar services,” a news release from the county said.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development, in cooperation with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, announced Wednesday that the Savannah Portside Industrial Park has earned “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. The site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development.
In the Media 📺
Foundation President and CEO Kyle Wingfield penned a letter to the editor in The Macon Melody this week, urging Macon-Bibb County leaders to seize the opportunity to address housing affordability before it becomes a full-blown crisis. Wingfield argues that rather than fixating on institutional investors — who represent only a small share of the market — local policymakers should focus on the real driver of affordability: modernizing zoning, streamlining approvals, and allowing a broader mix of housing types to be built.
Quote of the Week 🌟
One More Fact 💡
The word “nerves” may sound unusual as a verb today, but Savage used it in the older sense: to strengthen, steady or give courage. It is a fitting word for Memorial Day. The courage of those who gave their lives in service to our country does not disappear with them. It strengthens those who remain.
Memorial Day calls us to pause and remember that freedom has been defended at great cost. The liberties we debate, exercise and sometimes take for granted were secured by men and women who accepted the highest responsibility of citizenship.
Their sacrifice should do more than move us to gratitude. It should renew our commitment to the principles they defended: liberty, self-government and the rule of law.
This Memorial Day, we honor the fallen not only with remembrance, but with resolve.
More Commentary
James Garfield and how the Battle of Chickamauga helped inspire Memorial Day
Why Georgia’s 2026 Legislative Activity Isn’t Over Quite Yet
Many People Don’t Know What a Charter School Is.