Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 1013: Massey, Abit; honoring the life and memory; condolences
Last action January 13, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A House resolution honors the life of Abit Massey, a longtime Georgia public servant, agriculture leader, and University of Georgia alumnus, and offers condolences to his family.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a memorial resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing Abit Massey, who served in state government, led the Georgia Poultry Federation, and was deeply involved with the University of Georgia. The resolution recounts his career, including his work creating the state's first Tourist Division and welcome station, his leadership in the poultry industry, his ties to UGA, and his many honors and awards. The resolution does not change any law. It formally expresses the House's sympathy over his passing and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of Abit Massey on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Expresses the House's regret at his passing and sympathy to his family.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Massey's family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or ongoing obligations; it is purely commemorative.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the family of Abit Massey, who will receive a copy of it. It also reflects recognition by the Georgia House of Representatives and references institutions he was tied to, including the University of Georgia and the Georgia Poultry Federation.
Why it matters
The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic, providing an official state record honoring Massey's decades of public service and giving his family formal acknowledgment from the Georgia House of Representatives.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Massey's career in state government, agriculture leadership, and University of Georgia involvement, providing the resolution's factual basis.
- The first resolving clause states the House's intent to honor Massey and expresses regret at his death.
- The second resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Massey's family.
From the bill
“the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Abit Massey and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.”
Discussed in meetings (1)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House floor session, January 16, 2026 (legislative day 5)
From 1:13:50 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk read HR 1013 in full, honoring the life of a late Georgia Poultry Federation leader and expressing condolences. The resolution described the honoree's work in state government, tourism, agriculture, education and civic organizations. The honoree's son thanked members and recalled the honoree's early visits to the Capitol, work drafting legislation and service leading the Department of Commerce. The son described the honoree's enthusiasm for Georgia and public life. The chair presented the resolution to the family and recalled the honoree as a mentor and adviser to legislators, an advocate for the Screven County welcome center, and a supporter of the poultry industry and the University of Georgia. No adoption vote was shown during the presentation.
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Jon Burns (R, HD-159)
- Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
- Lee Hawkins (R, HD-27)
- Matt Dubnik (R, HD-29)
- Steven Meeks (R, HD-178)
- Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
Topics
- memorial resolution
- Georgia agriculture
- University of Georgia
- state government history