Firefighters' Bagpipes and Drums echo in the Capitol

Fire Department honor guard prepare to enter the rotounda in the Gold Dome, on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

The strains of Amazing Grace played on bagpipes and drum by members of the Valdosta Fire Department echoed through the rotunda of the state Capitol in Atlanta today, marking the 37th annual Firefighters' Recognition Day.

Valdosta Fire Department bagpipe band playing in the Gold Dome, on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Dozens of hook and ladder company fire trucks driven in from several hundred fire departments across the state packed the streets around the Capitol for the colorful, ceremony and Senate proclamation recognizing the bravery of Georgia‘s firefighters.

Firefighters and legislators bow their heads during the playing of Amazing Grace at the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Grady supporters bring petitions to keep Grady public

A group of Grady Hospital supporters brought petitions to the Capitol today asking that the Atlanta hospital remain public. Meanwhile state leaders vowed to help the financially strapped hospital while also funding a state-wide trauma care system.

Grady Hospital is trying to stay open for business. There is fear that if it changes management, it will no longer serve Atlanta's poor. House Speaker Glenn Richardson told business leaders in Atlanta that he is willing to support state funding, but with conditions.

"Grady's got to help themselves first. When Grady helps itself, I'm willing to jump it. But we have to do something about trauma care statewide. We gotta get on the same page."

Governor Perdue is expected to outline help for Grady in his "State of the State" address. One idea is to charge speeders more money to fund hospitals. For GPB News, I'm Susanna Capelouto at the State Capitol.

Suspicious Package Empties Capitol

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into a suspicious envelope left at the state Capitol today that prompted a partial evacuation.

GBI spokesman John Bankhead says an envelope containing a cassette tape and a note was found taped to a door in the building.

Authorities were called at about 10 AM and cleared part of the building. A bomb detection unit from the Atlanta Police Department was sent in to investigate.

Officials say the package was removed and employees allowed back in the building after a little more than an hour.

Bankhead could not say what the note or the cassette said, or if the envelope was addressed to anyone or whether it contained any threats. He said authorities were trying to determine who sent the package.

A spokesman for Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said he was not at the office today.

(The Associated Press)