--- title: HR 1305. Garrett, Dr. James Matthew; honoring the life and memory; condolences collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1305 cite_as: HR 1305, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1305 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1305.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1305/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73087 date: 2026-02-10 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/hr1304.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1306.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 134 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1305.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1305 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-10 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Park Cannon - Imani Barnes - Karla Drenner - Samuel Park text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1305/2025 upstream_id: 2113633 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - memorial resolution - Georgia House of Representatives - LGBTQ+ advocacy - community recognition --- # HR 1305. Garrett, Dr. James Matthew; honoring the life and memory; condolences ## Text House Resolution 1305 By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Barnes of the 86th, Drenner of the 85th, and Park of the 107th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Dr. James Matthew Garrett; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Dr. James Matthew Garrett, a native of Turner County and a devoted public servant, dedicated his life to enriching the lives of countless Georgians; and WHEREAS, a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Dr. James Matthew Garrett served in leadership roles with Dance Marathon, LeaderShape, and the Arch Society as well as advanced academic work promoting integrity development among college students, contributions that continue to shape student leadership programs within the university; and WHEREAS, he was a transformative force in the field of organizational development, leading strategic initiatives at Emory University and serving as a Principal Partner at Deloitte, where he championed inclusive leadership development and systemic improvements in public health services across all levels of government; and WHEREAS, he further served as a lead volunteer for over two decades in leadership roles with the Human Rights Campaign, advocating passionately and tirelessly for LGBTQ+ equality and earning recognition as one of Georgia's Most Influential Leaders in 2020; and WHEREAS, Dr. James Matthew Garrett was honored with Ashburn's Key to the City and the proclamation of "Matt Garrett Day" in recognition of his contributions to his community and state; and WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Dr. James Matthew Garrett 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 honor the life and memory of Dr. James Matthew Garrett and express the 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 Dr. James Matthew Garrett. ## 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 honors the life and memory of Dr. James Matthew Garrett, a Turner County native known for his public service and advocacy work, and offers condolences to his family. ### Plain-language summary This is a memorial resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives to honor Dr. James Matthew Garrett after his death. It does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it recounts his life story, including his education at the University of Georgia, his career in organizational development at Emory University and as a Principal Partner at Deloitte, and his decades of volunteer leadership with the Human Rights Campaign advocating for LGBTQ+ equality. The resolution formally states that House members mourn his passing and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for his family. Resolutions like this are symbolic gestures rather than binding legislation. ### What it does - Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' regret over the death of Dr. James Matthew Garrett and honors his life and memory. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare an official copy of the resolution for distribution to Garrett's family. - Recites his biography and public service record, including work at Emory University, Deloitte, and the Human Rights Campaign, without creating any legal obligation. ### Who it affects The resolution directly affects the family of Dr. James Matthew Garrett, who will receive an official copy, and reflects recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not impose obligations on the public, businesses, or government agencies. ### Why it matters This resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect; it does not change Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its significance is ceremonial, providing public recognition of an individual's life and community contributions and formal condolences to his family. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe Garrett's background, education at the University of Georgia, and career achievements at Emory University and Deloitte. - It notes his over two decades of volunteer leadership with the Human Rights Campaign and his recognition as one of Georgia's Most Influential Leaders in 2020. - It references honors he received, including Ashburn's Key to the City and a proclaimed 'Matt Garrett Day.' - The resolving clause states the House's regret at his passing and honors his memory. - A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to provide a copy of the resolution to his family. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-10) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-02-10) - Sponsors: Park Cannon, Imani Barnes, Karla Drenner, Samuel Park - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73087 > The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1305.md?full=1