--- title: HR 1078. Byrdsell, Reverend John G.; occasion of his 5th pastoral anniversary; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1078 cite_as: HR 1078, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1078 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1078.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1078/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72427 date: 2026-01-27 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1077.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1079.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1078.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1078 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-27 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Sheila Jones text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1078/2025 upstream_id: 2095100 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - ceremonial resolution - Georgia House of Representatives - Atlanta - religious leaders --- # HR 1078. Byrdsell, Reverend John G.; occasion of his 5th pastoral anniversary; recognize ## Text House Resolution 1078 By: Representative Jones of the 60th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Reverend John G. Byrdsell on the occasion of his 5th pastoral anniversary; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Reverend John G. Byrdsell has demonstrated his commitment to teaching the Gospel, witnessing Christ through word and deed, and addressing the physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual needs of others; and WHEREAS, Reverend John G. Byrdsell was called by the Lord five years ago to lead the congregation of Concord Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia; and WHEREAS, prior to his calling to serve Concord Baptist Church, Reverend John G. Byrdsell served as an Associate Minister at Antioch Baptist Church North for 21 years; and WHEREAS, his vision and direction have helped Concord Baptist Church grow in size and influence, uplifting the community like the light of Bethlehem and serving as a spiritual leader and place for fellowship; and WHEREAS, over the past five years leading Concord Baptist Church, Reverend John G. Byrdsell has established numerous programs and workshops which have improved the spiritual and educational growth of the church and the surrounding community; and WHEREAS, whether the task is preparing a sermon, visiting the sick, counseling the troubled, baptizing a new believer, or acting as a theologian, educator, administrator, or humanitarian, Reverend John G. Byrdsell serves as a shining example of God's righteous path; and WHEREAS, the unmatched spiritual assistance offered by Reverend John G. Byrdsell is a source of strength and direction for persons in all walks of life; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this enduring example of God's message of peace and love be recognized and congratulated for his innumerable good works rendered on behalf of persons in need. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Reverend John G. Byrdsell on the wonderful occasion of his 5th pastoral anniversary and extend best wishes for many more years of successful fellowship and leadership. 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 Reverend John G. Byrdsell. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution recognizes Reverend John G. Byrdsell of Concord Baptist Church in Atlanta for reaching his fifth anniversary as pastor of the congregation. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Reverend John G. Byrdsell on the fifth anniversary of his pastorate at Concord Baptist Church in Atlanta. It does not change any Georgia law, create programs, or spend state money. The resolution recounts Byrdsell's background, including 21 years as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church North before leading Concord Baptist Church, and praises his work growing the congregation and starting community programs. The House formally commends him and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for him. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Reverend John G. Byrdsell for five years as pastor of Concord Baptist Church in Atlanta. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Byrdsell. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change; it is a symbolic statement by the House of Representatives. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names Reverend John G. Byrdsell and Concord Baptist Church in Atlanta. It has no legal or practical effect on any other individuals, businesses, or government agencies in Georgia. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal weight and changes nothing about Georgia law or policy. Its significance is symbolic: it is an official, public acknowledgment by the state legislature of a local religious leader's service and community contributions. ### Key provisions - The resolution recites Byrdsell's history, including his prior 21 years as an associate minister at Antioch Baptist Church North. - The operative resolving clause commends Byrdsell on his fifth pastoral anniversary and wishes him continued success. - A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Byrdsell. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-27) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-01-27) - Sponsors: Sheila Jones - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72427 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1078.md?full=1