---
title: HR 1374. Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce; significant contributions to economic prosperity, business advocacy, and the cultivation of local talent through the Leadership Macon program; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1374
cite_as: HR 1374, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1374
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1374.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1374/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73304
date: 2026-02-17
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.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 134
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1374.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1374
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-02-17
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Tangie Herring
  - Anissa Jones
  - Floyd Griffin
  - Miriam Paris
  - Dale Washburn
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1374/2025
upstream_id: 2118553
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - commendation resolution
  - Macon-Bibb County
  - economic development
  - business advocacy
  - leadership training
---

# HR 1374. Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce; significant contributions to economic prosperity, business advocacy, and the cultivation of local talent through the Leadership Macon program; commend

## Text

House Resolution 1374
By: Representatives Herring of the 145th, Jones of the 143rd, Griffin of the 149th, Paris of the
142nd, and Washburn of the 144th
A RESOLUTION
Commending the efforts of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce for its significant
contributions to economic prosperity, business advocacy, and the cultivation of local talent
through the Leadership Macon program; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has served as the organized voice
of the Macon-Bibb business community since 1861, championing a mission to provide the
resources and support necessary to advance business success and regional economic vitality;
and
WHEREAS, the Chamber represents a diverse network of nearly 800 investors, ranging from
small local enterprises to major global industries, all united under the vision of making
Macon-Bibb the premier community for business in the State of Georgia; and
WHEREAS, since its inception in 1979, the Leadership Macon program has stood as a
flagship initiative of the Chamber, dedicated to identifying and training a diverse network
of emerging and established leaders to address the community's most pressing challenges;
and
WHEREAS, the Leadership Macon program provides a transformative nine-month
experience, beginning with a dedicated retreat to foster trust and relationship-building among
a cohort of professionals representing every sector of the local economy; and
WHEREAS, through monthly immersive class days, participants gain deep insights into the
essential pillars of the region, including local government, healthcare, education, agriculture,
housing, and economic development, ensuring they are well-informed and ready to serve;
and
WHEREAS, the Chamber further advances the region's growth through strategic initiatives
such as "Choose Macon," workforce development partnerships, and unwavering advocacy
for critical community assets like the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Robins
Air Force Base; and
WHEREAS, the organization's enduring impact is a direct result of the collaborative spirit
of its Board of Directors and staff, who work tirelessly to leverage local investment into
tangible prosperity for all citizens of the Macon-Bibb region; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce continues to lead with core values
of integrity, inclusivity, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that as the community grows, its
leadership remains visionary, connected, and engaged.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce for its
155-year legacy of excellence, its commitment to economic growth, and its vital role in
preparing the next generation of leaders through Leadership Macon.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that recognition is given to President and CEO Jessica
Walden, the Chamber Board of Directors, and the Leadership Macon Advisory Board for
their dedication, vision, and tireless service to the people and businesses of Macon-Bibb
County.
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
Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

## 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 Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce for its economic development work and its Leadership Macon leadership training program.

### Plain-language summary

This is a commendation resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it formally recognizes the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, which has represented the Macon-Bibb business community since 1861, for its role in economic development and business advocacy.

The resolution specifically praises the Chamber's Leadership Macon program, a nine-month leadership training initiative started in 1979 that teaches participants about local government, healthcare, education, agriculture, housing, and economic development. It also names President and CEO Jessica Walden and the Chamber's Board of Directors for recognition, and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the Chamber.

### What it does

- Formally commends the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce for its economic development and business advocacy work in the Macon-Bibb region.
- Recognizes the Leadership Macon program, a nine-month leadership training initiative for local professionals, as a flagship Chamber effort.
- Names President and CEO Jessica Walden, the Chamber's Board of Directors, and the Leadership Macon Advisory Board for individual recognition.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Chamber.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, its President and CEO Jessica Walden, its Board of Directors, and the Leadership Macon Advisory Board. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians or businesses.

### Why it matters

This resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It creates an official state record honoring the Chamber's role in Macon-Bibb's economy and leadership development, but it does not create funding, rules, or requirements affecting anyone outside the organizations named.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses describe the Chamber's history since 1861 and its network of nearly 800 investors.
- The first resolved clause commends the Chamber for its 155-year legacy and its role in preparing leaders through Leadership Macon.
- The second resolved clause specifically recognizes CEO Jessica Walden, the Chamber Board of Directors, and the Leadership Macon Advisory Board.
- The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Chamber.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-02-17)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-02-17)
- Sponsors: Tangie Herring, Anissa Jones, Floyd Griffin, Miriam Paris, Dale Washburn
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73304

> The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1374.md?full=1