Section 12-3-441. Legislative findings

   (a) It is found, determined, and declared that:

   (1) There is an urgent public need to preserve important and endangered historical areas in Georgia for the benefit of present and future generations;

   (2) Many historical areas, because of Georgia's rapid progress over the past decade, have been altered and their value as a part of our heritage lost, and the few such remaining areas are in danger of being irreparably altered;

   (3) Black culture is an important component of the history of Georgia;

   (4) The State of Georgia possesses a rich heritage of black culture in its architectural, historical, and archeological resources associated with the life and culture of black Georgians;

   (5) There exists on Greater Sapelo Island in McIntosh County, Georgia, a black community known as Hog Hammock which is composed primarily of the direct descendants of the slaves of Thomas Spalding, a prior landowner on Greater Sapelo Island, and the community rests on the grounds of the former Spalding Plantation;

   (6) This community is the last community of its kind in the State of Georgia;

   (7) The Hog Hammock community and many of the buildings and structures located therein date back to the mid-nineteenth century;

   (8) It is important to the citizens of the State of Georgia that this community, which reflects the past culture of this state, be preserved for the benefit of present and future generations;

   (9) The best and most important use of this area of Greater Sapelo Island is for said community to remain, as it currently exists, a historic community, occupied by the direct descendants of the slaves of Thomas Spalding; and

   (10) In order to further the preservation of the cultural and historic values of the said community, the establishment and performance of the Sapelo Island Heritage Authority under this part is in the best interest of all Georgians.

(b) In accordance with the findings, determinations, and declarations of subsection (a) of this Code section, it is declared that the creation of the Sapelo Island Heritage Authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes are in all respects valid charitable and public purposes within the provisions of the Constitution of Georgia in that the preservation of the culture in this endangered historical area, as it currently exists, is important to present and future generations of Georgians.

Code 1981, § 12-3-441, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 623, § 1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 453, § 1.