HR961: HR961 Bell, Sherilyn P.; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial honor passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. It recognizes Sherilyn P. Bell for her career in clinical research, laboratory management, and public health, including work in stem cell clinical trials and viral load testing. It also credits her advocacy work, alongside the late Congressman John Lewis and others, in helping secure passage of the federal Lymphedema Treatment Act in December 2022, which closed a Medicare coverage gap for doctor-prescribed compression garments. The resolution also notes her volunteer work with groups like the American Red Cross and various Atlanta community organizations, and her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. It does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House commends Bell and directs the Clerk of the House to provide her with an official copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Sherilyn P. Bell for her career in healthcare, laboratory science, and patient advocacy.
• Recognizes her role in helping pass the federal Lymphedema Treatment Act, which closed a Medicare coverage gap for compression garments.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Bell.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is a purely ceremonial statement by the House.

This resolution directly names and honors one individual, Sherilyn P. Bell. It has no regulatory or legal effect on other Georgians, healthcare providers, or state agencies.

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it has no practical effect on healthcare policy, Medicare coverage, or Georgia regulations. Its significance is symbolic: it publicly records the House's recognition of one person's professional and advocacy work.

• The whereas clauses describe Bell's career in clinical research, laboratory management, and public health, including roles at Response Technologies Inc. and the Public Health Laboratory in Decatur.
• The resolution credits her advocacy work with the Lymphedema Advocacy Group and Lighthouse Lymphedema Network in securing passage of the U.S. Lymphedema Treatment Act on December 23, 2022.
• The resolved clause states the House commends Bell for her professional achievements and wishes her continued success.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Bell.

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

• Imani Barnes (D, HD-086)Primary sponsor
• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)
• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)

• legislative commendation
• healthcare advocacy
• lymphedema treatment
• public health