--- title: HR 1227. Lazzara, Dr. Gasper; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1227 cite_as: HR 1227, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1227 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1227.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1227/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72852 date: 2026-02-04 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/hr1226.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1228.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1227.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1227 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-04 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Ron Stephens text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1227/2025 upstream_id: 2108072 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commendation resolution - orthodontics - Georgia School of Orthodontics - dental education --- # HR 1227. Lazzara, Dr. Gasper; commend ## Text House Resolution 1227 By: Representative Stephens of the 164th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Dr. Gasper Lazzara; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Dr. Gasper Lazzara has established a glowing reputation throughout the state of Georgia as the cofounder of the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO); and WHEREAS, the GSO, founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2016, is an accredited, 36-month residency program focusing on specialized orthodontic education and patient-centered care; and WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzara is a Florida native and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Emory University in 1966; and WHEREAS, he received his Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the American Association of Orthodontists Supervised Preceptorship Program in 1969; and WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzara joins GSO with more than 40 years of experience in the field of orthodontics, including maintaining private orthodontic practices for 25 years and serving as the founder, CEO, director, and chairman of the world’s largest orthodontic management company, Orthodontic Centers of America from 1985-2001; and WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzara retired as a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics as well as a member of both the American Association of Orthodontists and the Southern Society of Orthodontists; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to honor the achievements of this remarkable individual. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Dr. Gasper Lazzara and extend their sincere best wishes for his continued health, happiness, and success. 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 Dr. Gasper Lazzara. ## 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 recognizes and commends Dr. Gasper Lazzara, cofounder of the Georgia School of Orthodontics, for his decades-long career in orthodontics. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Dr. Gasper Lazzara, a Florida native who earned his dental degree from Emory University in 1966 and later cofounded the Georgia School of Orthodontics in Atlanta. The resolution recounts his career, including founding and leading Orthodontic Centers of America and maintaining private orthodontic practices for 25 years. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally states that House members commend Dr. Lazzara and wish him continued health and success, and it directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Gasper Lazzara for his career in orthodontics and his role cofounding the Georgia School of Orthodontics. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Dr. Lazzara. - Contains no changes to Georgia law, funding, or regulations; it is a ceremonial statement of the House's recognition. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Gasper Lazzara. It has no legal effect on other individuals, businesses, or state agencies, though it references the Georgia School of Orthodontics and related professional organizations. ### Why it matters This resolution has no practical impact on Georgia law, funding, or residents' daily lives. It serves as an official, public acknowledgment by the House of Representatives of one individual's professional achievements. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Dr. Lazzara's education, including his 1966 dental degree from Emory University and 1969 orthodontics certificate. - The whereas clauses detail his professional history, including 25 years in private practice and leading Orthodontic Centers of America from 1985 to 2001. - The resolved clause states that House members recognize and commend Dr. Lazzara and wish him continued health, happiness, and success. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Lazzara. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-04) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-02-04) - Sponsors: Ron Stephens - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72852 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1227.md?full=1