House Resolution 1013
By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Dickey of the 134th, Hawkins of the 27th, Dubnik of
the 29th, Meeks of the 178th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Abit Massey; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Abit Massey lived a life of distinction defined by exemplary service to his state,
devotion to his community, and a steadfast commitment to education, agriculture, and civic
leadership; and
WHEREAS, starting from his earliest visits to the Georgia State Capitol in the 1940s, he
developed a lifelong connection to Georgia's public life that led him to serve as executive
secretary to Attorney General Gene Cook and to be appointed by Governor-Elect Ernest
Vandiver as director of the Department of Commerce, during which time he created the
state's first Tourist Division as well as the state's first welcome station in Screven
County—the oldest station still operational in the United States; and
WHEREAS, his career became most closely tied to Georgia agriculture through his
leadership of the Georgia Poultry Federation, where he guided the industry's growth with
vision and dedication, and he continued to serve full-time as president emeritus thereafter;
and
WHEREAS, his passion for education and the University of Georgia (UGA) was evident in
his service as president of the UGA Alumni Association, as a trustee of the UGA Foundation,
and as a leader in preserving historic Four Towers and establishing the Veterinary Medicine
Experiment Station; and
WHEREAS, his many honors included the UGA Distinguished Alumni Merit Award, the
Blue Key Service Award, the inaugural Medallion of Honor from the College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences Appreciation
Award, the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine, and
induction into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, he was further honored through the creation of the annual Abit Massey Lecture
by the Georgia Society of Association Executives, and he received the organization's
President's Award for his work to protect nonprofit volunteers under Georgia law; and
WHEREAS, as additional testament to his influence and service, Abit Massey met seven
presidents of the United States, counted the late President Jimmy Carter among his friends,
and championed Georgia Women of Achievement as the first man to serve on its Board of
Trustees, the only man to serve as president, and the first person chosen as a trustee for life;
and
WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Kayanne, and together they built
a life in Gainesville, Georgia, raising their two children, Lewis and Camille, and later
enjoying the blessings of four grandchildren, Chandler, Mary Cameryn, Christian, and Lucia,
and of family members Amy and Gillie; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Abit Massey will long be remembered for
his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great
fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Abit Massey.