Georgia State 'Possum

Pogo Adopted: April 20, 1992

Pogo the rather self-effacing 'possum was the star of a long-running (1948-1975) comic strip by the late cartoonist Walt Kelly.

Pogo lived in the Okefonokee Swamp with a supporting cast of characters, including an alligator (Albert), an owl (Howland), a musk turtle (Churchill "Churchy" LaFemme), a porcupine (Porky Pine), a skunk (Miz Ma'm'selle Hepzibah) and a hound dog (Beauregard Bugleboy). A long list of visitors to the swamp kept things interesting.

A friendly cartoon swamp creature comments wryly on politics and philosophy. Walt Kelly, a cartoonist and movie animator, visited the Okefenokee Swamp in 1942 and was inspired to draw some "swamp critters." Pogo ‘Possum appeared in comic books in the early 1940’s and became the star of a nationally syndicated newspaper comic strip in 1949. Declaring "We have met the enemy and he is us," Pogo poked fun at the vanity and shortcomings of people everywhere. The General Assembly voted Pogo the State ‘Possum in 1992.

("State 'Possum")

The resolution to name an official state 'possum was authored by state Representative Harry Dixon and amended to House Bill No. 1548. Rep. Dixon represented the 151st District that included a large portion of the Okefonokee Swamp and Waycross, often mentioned in the comic strip and home to the annual Pogofest. According to the Waycross Journal-Herald, the idea was initiated by organizers of Pogofest "for whatever promotional purposes there might be."

As an aside, Pogofest metamorphosized into today's "Swampfest," held in Waycross in the first weekend in April each year.

Pointedly favoring the 'possum's contribution to society and culture, the resolution explained:

"As a species, they have devoted life and paw to the exploration of such pressing contemporary issues as: Is the 55 MPH speed limit too fast? Are developmental highways really safe to cross? Is a landfill really a good place to eat? Is curbside garbage pickup safer than having to venture into a back yard with the family dog?"

("Waycross Journal-Herald" 1)

As might be expected, the jokes and jibes were flying during discussion of the merits of the resoluton, including plenty of references to road kill. The Waycross Journal-Herald cited, "The best: Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the opossum it could be done."

Pogo 'Possum was adopted as the official Georgia State 'Possum when Governor Zell Miller signed House Bill No. 1548 on April 20, 1992.

Georgia Law

The following information was excerpted from the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Article 3, Section 50-3-68.

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 3. STATE FLAG, SEAL, AND OTHER SYMBOLS
ARTICLE 3. OTHER STATE SYMBOLS
50-3-68

§ 50-3-68. Official 'Possum

Pogo 'Possum, created by Walt Kelly, is adopted as the official Georgia State 'Possum.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 50-3-68, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 2391, § 9

Sources...

"House Makes Pogo Georgia's Possum." Waycross Journal-Herald [Waycross] 08 Feb 1992, 1. Print.
"State 'Possum." Georgia Archives. Georgia Secretary of State. Web. 9 Apr 2013. <http://sos.georgia.gov/archives/state_symbols/state_possum.html>.
"The Official Code of Georgia Annotated." Lexis Nexis Custom Solution. LexisNexis, n.d. Web. 8 Apr 2013. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/Default.asp>.
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

Pogo: Official website.

Pogo Fan Club & Walt Kelly Sociaty: Official website.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Georgia state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.