Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 1477: Sports, Joseph A. "Joe"; honoring the life and memory; condolences

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 25, 2026 · Passed

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House Resolution 1477

By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Greene of the 154th, Stephens of the 164th, and Powell of the 33rd

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports on January 9, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was born on October 17, 1934, in Douglas, Georgia, a beloved son of Mae and Elisha Sports, and while still in high school, he began his journalism career at The Douglas Enterprise, where he eventually served as associate editor; and

WHEREAS, after being drafted in 1957, he served for 18 months as a photographer within the United States Army, faithfully carrying out his duties while traveling across Europe; and

WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports entered public service in Washington, D.C., as a staff member for Georgia Congresswoman Iris F. Blitch; and

WHEREAS, he later returned to Georgia to serve as news director at WALB-TV in Albany, where his insight, professionalism, and political acumen further strengthened his reputation as a trusted communicator; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was selected thereafter by James H. Gray to serve as executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, a role he held until the election of Jimmy Carter as governor; and

WHEREAS, following Governor Carter's appointment of David H. Gambrell to the United States Senate, he returned to Washington to serve as administrative assistant and later worked with United States Senator Sam Nunn and United States Congressman Dawson Mathis; and

WHEREAS, after concluding his government service, he established a respected career as a public relations and legislative consultant, and in 2022, he returned to The Douglas Enterprise as a writer and photographer; and

WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was united in marriage to his wife, Ronda McNeil Davis, and was blessed with a remarkable daughter, Susan, as well as two wonderful grandsons, Ali and Amir; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports 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 join in honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports and express their 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 Joseph A. "Joe" Sports.