HR575: HR575 Moving in the Spirit; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia House of Representatives rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Moving in the Spirit, an Atlanta nonprofit founded in 1986 by Dana Lupton, Leah Mann, and Genene Stewart, for using dance and creative arts programs to support underserved youth. The resolution recounts the organization's history, including its growth from one class of 25 girls to a program that has reached more than 5,000 children, its national recognition such as a 2005 White House ceremony, and its 2021 opening of a $10 million performing arts center at MARTA's Edgewood/Candler Park development. The House commends the organization and directs the Clerk of the House to send it a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Moving in the Spirit for its history of youth development work through the arts, with no changes to state law or funding.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization.
• Recites the organization's history, achievements, and measurable outcomes, such as a 96 percent increase in student confidence, as the basis for the honor.

The resolution directly names Moving in the Spirit, its founders Dana Lupton, Leah Mann, and Genene Stewart, and partner organizations such as the Atlanta Children's Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta, and KIPP Atlanta Schools mentioned in the text.

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It does not create funding, programs, or legal obligations, but it gives official recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives to an Atlanta nonprofit's decades of youth arts programming.

• The whereas clauses detail the organization's 1986 founding, its growth to over 5,000 children served, and partnerships with groups like the Atlanta Children's Shelter and KIPP Atlanta Schools.
• The whereas clauses note national recognition, including a 2005 White House ceremony and a performance for Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
• The whereas clauses cite the 2021 opening of a $10 million performing arts center at MARTA's Edgewood/Candler Park development.
• The resolving clause commends the organization and extends best wishes for continued success.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Moving in the Spirit.

1. 2025-03-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-11House Hopper (House)

• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)Primary sponsor

• youth arts programs
• Atlanta nonprofits
• legislative commendation
• dance education