HR262: HR262 Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol; February 13, 2025; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives designates February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol, coinciding with an event hosted by Representative Kim Schofield and the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. It lays out facts about lupus, an autoimmune disease that can damage organs throughout the body, and notes that about 55,000 Georgians live with it. The resolution commends the Lupus Foundation of America and other groups working to find a cure and support affected families. It also directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. The resolution does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose new requirements; it is a ceremonial statement by the House.

• Formally recognizes February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Commends the Lupus Foundation of America and related organizations for their work on lupus research and family support.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or program; it is a symbolic statement adopted by the House.

The resolution primarily concerns the Lupus Foundation of America's Georgia chapter, lupus patients and their families in Georgia, and the House of Representatives, which formally adopts the recognition. It does not impose obligations on any other group.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it publicly acknowledges lupus as a serious health issue affecting tens of thousands of Georgians and highlights advocacy efforts, which can help raise awareness among the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

• The resolution's preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) describes lupus, its prevalence in Georgia (about 55,000 people), and its potential to damage organs including the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain.
• It notes that Governor Nathan Deal established the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Advocacy in 2014 to study lupus awareness statewide.
• The resolving clause formally commends the Lupus Foundation of America and recognizes February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

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

• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)Primary sponsor
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Rhonda Burnough (D, HD-077)

• lupus awareness
• public health
• Georgia House resolution
• autoimmune disease