Governor Perdue Visits The Mall at Stonecrest and Wal-Mart Supercenter to Promote Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

            ATLANTA, GA - Governor Sonny Perdue visited The Mall at Stonecrest and the Wal-Mart Supercenter in DeKalb County today to promote the sales tax holiday weekend.  The holiday will continue through midnight Sunday, August 2, 2004.  The purpose of the sales tax holiday is to lessen the financial impact on parents as they prepare their children for a new school year.  Throughout the holiday, computers, computer accessories, clothing, and school supplies will be exempt from state and local taxes.

            "Getting kids ready to start a new school year can be a challenge for parents financially.  This holiday is intended to help parents with that financial burden and help our kids feel good about starting the school year with new shoes, new clothes, and fresh school supplies," said Governor Sonny Perdue.

            At The Mall at Stonecrest on Turner Hill Road, Governor Perdue participated in the "Saluting Excellence In Education" back-to-school event.  The event honored Stonecrest Scholars, local students in grades K-8 who have earned either a 3.0 or a "B" average or better.  Students bring their report cards to the mall at the end of each grading period.  As a result of these achievements, they are invited to special events and receive discounts and prizes from mall merchants.  Approximately 100 students from DeKalb, Rockdale, and Newton counties are currently enrolled in the program.  During today's drawing, one student won a computer system donated by mall merchants and one student won a $500 Stonecrest Shopping Pass.

           Governor Perdue also visited the newly opened Wal-Mart Supercenter on Fairington Road.  Upon arrival, the Governor served as a store greeter followed by brief remarks to Wal-Mart associates and shoppers.  Store management donated school supplies and $500 Wal-Mart gift cards to Fairington Elementary and Panola Way Elementary, schools they support throughout the year.