HR616: HR616 Yao, Mr. Francis Malan; condolences

25 LC 129 0358 House Resolution 616 By: Representatives Adeyina of the 110th, Okoye of the 102nd, Beckles of the 96th, Park of the 107th, and Clark of the 108th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Mr. Francis Malan Yao; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Mr. Francis Malan Yao on February 9, 2025; and3 WHEREAS, Mr. Francis Malan Yao was born on April 8, 1945, in As sinie-Mafia, Cote4 d'Ivoire; and5 WHEREAS, from 1977 to 2000, Mr. Francis Malan Yao served with t he United States6 Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire, where he served as a Monitor Extraordinaire and Shift Supervisor7 at the United States Foreign Broadcasting Information Service (FBIS); and 8 WHEREAS, as one of the founding members of the FBIS in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, he9 played a pivotal role in overseeing personnel and assets, as we ll as coordinating United10 States Embassy's bureau coverage of significant regional events across Africa, including11 wars, coups, and natural disasters; and12 WHEREAS, in 2002, Mr. Francis Malan Yao moved to the United Sta t e s , w h e r e h i s13 expertise and commitment were instrumental in training monitors in new FBIS bureaus14 H. R. 616 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0358 across various countries, further solidifying his reputation as a respected leader and mentor;15 and16 WHEREAS, in 2008, Mr. Francis Malan Yao settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where he became17 an active and cherished member of the diaspora community; and18 WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, and wa s blessed with eight19 remarkable children who carry forward his legacy of service, in tegrity, and community20 engagement; and21 WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern22 for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his23 family and friends were admired by others; and24 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation25 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he26 made this world a better place in which to live; and27 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Francis Malan Ya o will long be28 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who29 had the great fortune of knowing him.30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that31 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory o f Mr. Francis Malan Yao32 and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.33 H. R. 616 - 2 - 25 LC 129 0358 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized34 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the35 family of Mr. Francis Malan Yao.36 H. R. 616 - 3 -