HR90: HR90 Several churches for their work with Project Elevation; commend

This resolution does not change Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing the work of Project Elevation, a faith-based health program in Southwest Georgia that uses community health workers based in local churches to reach underserved men with health screenings and education. The resolution praises Mt. Zion Baptist Church and its pastor for leading the effort, the Albany Coalition of Churches for organizing 25 churches across seven counties, and partners including Phoebe Putney Health Systems, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Samaritan Clinic, Albany Cares, and Grooming Gods for supporting the program. It directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally commends Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Pastor Daniel Simmons for leading health improvement efforts for men in Southwest Georgia.
• Recognizes the Albany Coalition of Churches, Phoebe Putney Health Systems, and Morehouse School of Medicine for supporting Project Elevation's community health worker program.
• Honors the Samaritan Clinic, Albany Cares, and Grooming Gods for providing clinical, food, and grooming support to program participants.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

The resolution directly names and honors churches, health systems, a medical school, a clinic, and community organizations in Southwest Georgia involved in Project Elevation, as well as the men in that region who participate in the program's health screenings.

While the resolution carries no legal or funding effect, it publicly documents the outcomes of Project Elevation, including prostate cancer screenings and connecting uninsured men to primary care, and gives official recognition that may support the program's visibility and continued community backing.

• The preamble describes Project Elevation as a faith-based program using 100 trained community health workers across 25 churches in seven Southwest Georgia counties.
• States the program has screened 945 men for prostate cancer since 2022, with 7 percent showing an elevated PSA level.
• Notes that 32 percent of participants with an elevated PSA were connected to a primary care physician they previously lacked.
• The first resolving clause commends Mt. Zion Baptist Church and its pastor for leading the effort.
• The second resolving clause recognizes the Albany Coalition of Churches, Phoebe Putney Health Systems, and Morehouse School of Medicine.
• The third resolving clause honors the Samaritan Clinic, Albany Cares, and Grooming Gods for their support roles.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-01-28House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-01-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)Primary sponsor
• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)
• Mike Cheokas (R, HD-151)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Joe Campbell (R, HD-171)

• public health
• cancer screening
• faith-based programs
• Southwest Georgia
• community health workers