HR261: HR261 Gilliard-Gunn, Patt; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It recognizes Patt Gilliard-Gunn, co-founder of the Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee and CEO of the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation & Healing, for her work preserving African American cultural heritage in the southeastern United States. The resolution details her roles running Underground Tours, a heritage tourism company, her work with the Savannah Gallery on Slavery & Healing, the Davenport House, and the Slave Dwelling Project, and her role in renaming a Savannah public square 'Taylor Square' after Susie King Taylor. The House resolves to commend her and directs the Clerk of the House to provide her a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends Patt Gilliard-Gunn for her work in cultural heritage preservation and community empowerment.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Gilliard-Gunn.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is purely a ceremonial statement by the House.
• Extends the House's best wishes for her continued success in her work.

The resolution directly names and honors Patt Gilliard-Gunn. It has no regulatory effect on any other group of Georgians, businesses, or agencies.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its significance is symbolic, giving official state recognition to an individual's community and cultural preservation work.

• The whereas clauses describe Gilliard-Gunn's roles co-founding the Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee and leading the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation & Healing.
• The resolution notes her leadership of Underground Tours and media recognition in outlets such as Conde Nast Travel and Forbes.
• It credits her with helping rename a Savannah public square 'Taylor Square' after Susie King Taylor.
• The resolving clause has the House commend her for contributions to cultural heritage preservation, economic development, and social empowerment.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to her.

1. 2025-02-13House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-13House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-13House Hopper (House)

• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)Primary sponsor
• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)

• ceremonial resolution
• cultural heritage
• Savannah history
• Georgia Gullah Geechee heritage