Members of Georgia State University's marching band will be among Georgians representing the state at Monday's Presidential inauguration parade in Washington, D.C.

The state also is sending representatives from the Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor.

Congress designated the corridor in 2006 to protect the culture of slave descendants living on remote barrier islands.

Called Gullahs in the Carolinas and Geechees in Georgia and Florida, many descendents until recent generations were ashamed of their distinct language and identity.

Corridor board member Griffin Lotson says it's unbelievable that it's now part of a presidential inauguration.

"And that was our dream, so that others would learn about this culture and know that it's alive and well," Lotson says. "With this presidential parade, being selected out of thousands, it's unbelievable. We find it like a dream."

The corridor's float will include depictions of fishing nets, quilts and sweet grass baskets -- icons of the culture.

The coastal contingent will join students, politicians and President Obama supporters who made their way from Georgia to Washington to witness history.

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