--- title: HR 1184. Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora; extraordinary humanitarian response and valiant efforts to provide disaster relief to residents of Jamaica following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1184 cite_as: HR 1184, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1184 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1184.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1184/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72747 date: 2026-02-02 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/hr1183.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1185.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1184.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1184 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-02 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Akbar Ali - Segun Adeyina - Arlene Beckles - El-Mahdi Holly - Debra Bazemore - Gabe Okoye text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1184/2025 upstream_id: 2104327 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Hurricane Melissa - Jamaica disaster relief - Caribbean diaspora - legislative commendation --- # HR 1184. Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora; extraordinary humanitarian response and valiant efforts to provide disaster relief to residents of Jamaica following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025; commend ## Text House Resolution 1184 By: Representatives Ali of the 106th, Adeyina of the 110th, Beckles of the 96th, Holly of the 116th, Bazemore of the 69th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora for their extraordinary humanitarian response and valiant efforts to provide disaster relief to residents of Jamaica following the landfall of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island of Jamaica on October 28, 2025, leaving widespread devastation, displacement, and urgent humanitarian needs across numerous communities; and WHEREAS, in the immediate aftermath of this natural disaster, members of the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora in Georgia mobilized with remarkable speed, unity, and compassion to provide essential relief, resources, and hope to the people of Jamaica; and WHEREAS, these selfless efforts demonstrated the enduring bonds between the diaspora and their homeland, reflecting a deep commitment to service, resilience, and collective responsibility; and WHEREAS, the following organizations, community leaders, businesses, faith-based institutions, and volunteers played an instrumental role in organizing, collecting, transporting, and distributing critical aid, including food, medical supplies, clothing, and other necessities: Caribbean Georgia Vote; Donna Mcleod; Atlanta Jamaica Association; Caribbean International Shipping Services; Joint Health Outreach International; Mikey Sparkle Production; Jamaican Museum and Culutral Center, Inc.; Jamaica International Independence Foreign Song Competition; Teamwork; Grocery List; Lasco Chin Foundation; St. Hugh’s High School Alumnae Association- Atlanta Chapter; FIWI FEMA; Food for the Poor; Office of the Consul General, Oliver Mair; Smart Girls Rebuild; Help for Healthcare Professionals; APAP Media; JESA; Atlanta Montego Bay Sister Cities; St. Andrew Old Girls Association- Georgia Chapter; The Westmorelite Foundation; D. Terrence Foster Foundation; Purposeful Women; 876 Kids Foundation, Inc.; Jamaica Mission Impact Team; Clarendon College Past Student Association- Atlanta Chapter; Integrity Children’s Funds; Bussin Jerk ATL; Jollywood; Network to Empower; and Live Oak Financial Center; and WHEREAS, these organizations, along with countless volunteers and supporters, established numerous donation and drop-off locations throughout Georgia, ensuring accessibility and broad community participation; and WHEREAS, their collective actions exemplify the highest ideals of humanitarian service, civic leadership, and cultural pride, serving as a powerful example of what can be achieved when communities unite in times of crisis. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend and honor the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora for their outstanding generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to aiding the people of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the appropriate representatives of the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora. ## 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 formally commends the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora in Georgia for organizing disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025. ### Plain-language summary Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, causing widespread damage and displacement. In response, members of the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora living in Georgia quickly organized to collect and send food, medical supplies, clothing, and other aid to Jamaica. This resolution does not create any new law, funding, or program. It is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives that formally praises and thanks a long list of named organizations, businesses, faith groups, and individuals for their relief work. It directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to representatives of the diaspora community. ### What it does - Formally commends the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora for organizing disaster relief after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025. - Names dozens of specific organizations, businesses, faith-based groups, and individuals credited with collecting and distributing aid such as food, medical supplies, and clothing. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to representatives of the diaspora community. - Creates no new law, funding, program, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement of appreciation. ### Who it affects The resolution names and honors specific Georgia-based organizations, businesses, faith institutions, and individuals within the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora who organized hurricane relief efforts, including groups like the Atlanta Jamaica Association and Food for the Poor, as well as the Clerk of the House. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or financial effect on Georgians; it does not change any law or provide funding. Its practical impact is symbolic, giving public recognition to community groups and volunteers who organized hurricane relief for Jamaica. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Hurricane Melissa's landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 and the resulting humanitarian needs. - The whereas clauses list numerous named organizations, businesses, and individuals credited with organizing relief efforts, including donation drop-off sites across Georgia. - The first resolving clause has the House of Representatives commend the Jamaica/Caribbean Diaspora for its relief efforts. - The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to diaspora representatives. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-02) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-02-02) - Sponsors: Akbar Ali, Segun Adeyina, Arlene Beckles, El-Mahdi Holly, Debra Bazemore, Gabe Okoye - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72747 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1184.md?full=1