HR899: HR899 Stevens, Joyce Carter; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It recognizes Joyce Carter Stevens, who grew up in Adel, Georgia, worked in sales and marketing at Del-Cook Lumber Company from 1964 to 1981, and later became involved in Republican Party politics, including serving as Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party from 1981 to 1983. The resolution highlights that she was the first female candidate on a general election ballot in Georgia when she ran for the Public Service Commission in 1984, and that she co-founded the Stevens Group in 1995 with her husband. The House formally commends her for her service and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her.

• Formally recognizes and commends Joyce Carter Stevens for her public service and civic contributions to Georgia.
• States findings about her career, including her work at Del-Cook Lumber Company and as Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party.
• Notes she was the first female candidate on a Georgia general election ballot, running for the Public Service Commission in 1984.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her.

This resolution directly names and honors Joyce Carter Stevens. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is directed to prepare a copy for distribution to her.

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. It serves as an official, symbolic honor from the state legislature recognizing one individual's career and civic contributions, primarily meaningful to Stevens, her family, and associates.

• The whereas clauses recount Stevens's biography, including her time at Del-Cook Lumber Company and her role in Mack Mattingly's 1980 Senate campaign.
• The resolution notes she served as Executive Director of the Georgia Republican Party from 1981 to 1983.
• It states she was the first female candidate on a Georgia general election ballot, in the 1984 Public Service Commission race.
• The resolving clause formally commends her for her public service to the State of Georgia.
• A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy for distribution to her.

1. 2025-03-31House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-31House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-31House Hopper (House)

• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)Primary sponsor
• Bruce Williamson (R, HD-112)
• Jon Burns (R, HD-159)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

• commendation resolution
• Georgia Republican Party history
• Public Service Commission