HR261: HR261 Gilliard-Gunn, Patt; commend

25 LC 112 3000 House Resolution 261 By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Stephens of the 164th, Hitchens of the 161st, and Petrea of the 166th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Patt Gilliard-Gunn; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, a dedicated advocate for cultural heritage preservatio n and community2 empowerment, Patt Gilliard-Gunn serves as co-founder of the Susie King Taylor Center for3 Jubilee Inc. and CEO of the Center for Jubilee, Reconciliation & Healing, leading initiatives4 in cultural enrichment, economic support, and historical reconc iliation across the5 southeastern United States; and6 WHEREAS, she further serves as the CEO of Underground Tours, a nationally recognized7 tourism company that highlights the African American journey fr om slavery to freedom,8 offering cultural heritage experiences that have been featured in Conde Nast Travel, Time9 Out Magazine, USA TODAY TRAVEL, and Forbes Magazine; and10 WHEREAS, her leadership in cultural preservation includes her w ork with the Savannah11 Gallery on Slavery & Healing, the Davenport House, and the Slave Dwelling Project, where12 she played a key role in organizing its inaugural conference and securing over $100,000 in13 grants and sponsorships; and14 H. R. 261 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3000 WHEREAS, she was instrumental in the renaming of a public square in Savannah to "Taylor15 Square" in honor of Susie King Taylor, the first African American nurse to serve in the Civil16 War; and17 WHEREAS, Patt Gilliard-Gunn additionally holds key leadership roles such as chairwoman18 of the Georgia Gullah Geechee Heritage Society, where she works to advance cultural19 awareness and advocacy throughout the region; and20 WHEREAS, her contributions to historical storytelling and media representation have earned21 widespread recognition, including appearances in the PBS docume ntary The Cost of22 Inheritance, the international podcast The Cotton Capital, and THIS IS US, a one-on-one film23 feature with Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo; and24 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this25 remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that27 the members of this body recognize and commend Patt Gilliard-Gu nn for her outstanding28 contributions to cultural heritage preservation, economic devel opment, and social29 empowerment as well as extend their most sincere best wishes for her continued success.30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized31 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Patt32 Gilliard-Gunn.33 H. R. 261 - 2 -