HR197: HR197 Strolling Thunder Day at the state capitol; February 6, 2025; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a law that changes anyone's rights or responsibilities. It recognizes February 6, 2025 as Strolling Thunder Day at the state capitol, an event organized by GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, a nonprofit group that brings families with young children to meet with lawmakers. The resolution's whereas clauses describe the importance of early childhood development, cite statistics on child poverty and low birth weight in Georgia, and note recent state investments in Lottery-Funded Pre-K and early childhood mental health. It then formally resolves that the House recognizes the day, and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes February 6, 2025 as Strolling Thunder Day at the state capitol.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or requirement; it is a symbolic statement of recognition.

The resolution primarily affects GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, the families with young children who participate in the event, and members of the Georgia House of Representatives who are recognizing the day. It does not impose duties on the general public.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not change any law or provide funding. Its main real-world effect is publicity: it gives an early childhood advocacy event official recognition at the capitol and puts child development statistics on the legislative record.

• The whereas clauses cite that more than 635,000 children under five live in Georgia and describe early childhood development as foundational to future learning and health.
• The whereas clauses note nearly one in five Georgia children under five live in poverty and one in ten babies are born with low birth weight.
• The resolved clause formally designates February 6, 2025 as Strolling Thunder Day at the state capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-06House Hopper (House)

• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)Primary sponsor

• early childhood education
• child poverty
• state capitol recognition
• family policy