SR415: SR415 Girls on the Run Georgia; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It praises Girls on the Run Georgia, a nonprofit that uses running and related activities to help girls in grades third through eighth develop social, emotional, and physical skills. The resolution notes the organization's 25th anniversary in 2025 and cites program statistics, including that 92 percent of participants reported learning better ways to handle strong emotions and 99 percent felt a sense of belonging. The Senate commends the organization's donors, volunteer coaches, staff, board members, and community partners, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Girls on the Run Georgia.

• Formally commends Girls on the Run Georgia and its volunteers, donors, staff, and board members for reaching its 25th anniversary in 2025.
• States findings about the organization's program, including reported statistics on participants' emotional skills and sense of belonging.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Girls on the Run Georgia.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as resolutions of this type are honorary and have no binding legal effect.

The resolution directly names Girls on the Run Georgia, its donors, volunteer coaches, staff, Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board, and school and community partners, along with the girls in grades third through eighth who participate in its programs across Georgia.

The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians; it serves as public, official recognition from the Georgia Senate of a nonprofit's community work, which can raise the organization's visibility and be shared with donors, volunteers, and partners.

• The whereas clauses describe Girls on the Run's mission of building girls' confidence and resilience through running-based activities.
• The whereas clauses cite program statistics: 92 percent of participants learned better ways to deal with strong emotions and 99 percent felt a sense of belonging.
• The resolved clause commends Girls on the Run Georgia and its stakeholders, including donors, coaches, staff, and board members.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Girls on the Run Georgia.

1. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)

• youth programs
• nonprofit recognition
• girls' mental health
• Georgia Senate resolutions