HR688: HR688 Savage, Dr. John "Johnny"; commend

This is a commendation resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Dr. John "Johnny" Savage. It recounts his life story: his career as a dentist starting in 1959, his service in the United States Navy Dental Corps including a mission to Antarctica aboard the USS Glacier, and his three terms as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from Fulton County. It also notes his 1974 run as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and his mentorship of Otis "Jazzbo" Ikner, the first Black male dental hygienist in the United States. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends Savage for his service to his family, community, state, and nation, and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him.

• Formally commends Dr. John "Johnny" Savage for his service to his family, community, state, and nation.
• Recites biographical facts about his dental career, Navy service, and time in the Georgia House of Representatives.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Savage.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a commendation resolution.

The resolution directly names and honors Dr. John "Johnny" Savage and references his family members, including his mother, sister, and son. It has no legal effect on any other group of Georgians.

The resolution carries symbolic and ceremonial weight rather than legal consequence. It creates an official public record from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing one individual's career in dentistry, military service, and state politics.

• The resolving clause commends Dr. Savage for his service to his family, community, state, and nation and wishes him continued health and happiness.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy available for distribution to Dr. Savage.
• The whereas clauses detail his dental career, Navy Dental Corps service aboard the USS Glacier during Operation Deep Freeze, and his three terms in the Georgia House.

1. 2025-03-21House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-21House Hopper (House)

• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)Primary sponsor
• Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-014)
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)
• Joseph Gullett (R, HD-019)
• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)

• commendation resolution
• Georgia House of Representatives
• military service
• dentistry