House Resolution 1640
By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Corbett of the 174th, Smith of the 138th, DeLoach of
the 167th, Greene of the 154th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the members of this body join family and friends throughout Georgia in
mourning the passing of Harold Franklin Reheis at the age of 81, former environmental
protection division director; an advocate for clean air, land, and water; and pivotal leader in
bettering the State of Georgia's environment; and
WHEREAS, born in 1944 and graduating from high school at Warner Robins Air Force
Base, Georgia, Mr. Reheis went on to graduate college from the Georgia Institute of
Technology and the University of Florida with degrees in civil-sanitary engineering and
environmental engineering; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis devoted his professional life to protecting Georgia's natural
resources over a distinguished career spanning more than 60 years, serving with the United
States Geological Survey; with Jordan, Jones and Goulding; as director of the Environmental
Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and with Joe Tanner
& Associates; and
WHEREAS, at the start of Mr. Reheis' career, most of Georgia's rivers were grossly polluted,
the air in metropolitan Atlanta had harmful amounts of carbon monoxide and ozone, and
garbage was disposed of or burned in open dumps throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis helped establish and implement programs to address these serious
issues, passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and creating the programs to
remediate over 100 hazardous sites in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, respected for his leadership in shaping and enforcing environmental laws, Mr.
Reheis helped position Georgia as a model for other states, especially through his expertise
in water resources management, strengthening both the state's environment and its economy;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis was widely acclaimed for his leadership in working with the
governor and Georgia General Assembly to maintain "One-Stop" permitting of
environmental laws and for diplomatically enforcing them in ways that enabled Georgia to
effectively issue permits for companies wanting to move to and grow in the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body honor the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis and recognize
his extraordinary contributions to the protection and conservation of Georgia's natural
resources.
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 Harold Franklin Reheis.