HR985: HR985 Makhlouf, Very Reverend Father George Shukri; condolences

This resolution is a memorial passed by the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf, who died on December 21, 2024, at age 81. It recounts his life story: born in Palestine, displaced as a child during the 1948 Nakba, educated in Paris, ordained a priest in 1985, and later serving churches in New York before becoming an adjunct retired priest at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta. The resolution formally states that House members join in honoring his memory and expressing their regret at his passing. It also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press. The resolution does not change any law; it is a ceremonial statement of tribute.

• Formally expresses the House of Representatives' regret at the death of Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf and honors his life and memory.
• Recites biographical details of his life, including his background as a Palestinian Nakba survivor and his decades of religious service.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill.

The resolution directly concerns the family and community of Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf, including his sons, brother, nephews, nieces, and granddaughters, as well as the congregations he served, including St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta.

While the resolution has no legal or regulatory effect, it gives official public recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives to Father Makhlouf's decades of religious and humanitarian work, and it creates a permanent public record of his life for his family and community.

• The whereas clauses detail his birth in Palestine, displacement during the 1948 Nakba, theological education in Paris, and 1985 ordination as a priest.
• The whereas clauses describe his ministry work in Ramallah, Yonkers, Long Island, and finally Atlanta, Georgia.
• The resolved clause states the House's official recognition of his life and expression of regret at his death.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-04-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-04House Hopper (House)

• Ruwa Romman (D, HD-097)Primary sponsor
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Marvin Lim (D, HD-098)
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)

• memorial resolution
• Georgia House of Representatives
• Palestinian history
• religious leaders
• Atlanta community