Georgia lawmakers honor Johnny Isakson

Former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson was honored in a joint session of the General Assembly last year. On Thursday the state Senate approved a measure that would have a bridge near the Port of Savannah named in honor of Isakson.  Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Former U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson was honored in a joint session of the General Assembly last year. On Thursday the state Senate approved a measure that would have a bridge near the Port of Savannah named in honor of Isakson. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com

Georgia lawmakers Thursday approved a measure that would name a bridge near the Port of Savannah for former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.

The state Senate unanimously approved House Resolution 119, which puts Isakson’s name on a Ga. 307 bridge that crosses the Georgia Ports Authority mega rail site in Garden City. The House of Representatives has already approved the measure, which was sponsored by Speaker David Ralston.

Isakson, a Republican, retired in 2019, citing a need to focus on his health. The move came four years after he revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

He was first elected to the Georgia House in 1976 before rising in office to the U.S. Senate in 2004.