--- title: HR 1687. Barnett, Valerie; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1687 cite_as: HR 1687, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1687 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1687.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1687/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74069 date: 2026-03-12 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/hr1686.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1688.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 134 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1687.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1687 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-12 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Al Williams - Buddy DeLoach text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1687/2025 upstream_id: 2133371 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commendation resolution - youth mentoring - military veterans - Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy --- # HR 1687. Barnett, Valerie; commend ## Text House Resolution 1687 By: Representatives Williams of the 168th and DeLoach of the 167th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Valerie Barnett; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Valerie Barnett has dedicated innumerable hours of her time and energy toward mentoring the youth of this state, empowering them to reclaim their futures, reach their full potential, and become the best versions of themselves; and WHEREAS, following her 21 years of honorable service as an E6 logistics officer in the United States Army, Valerie Barnett became one of the first three individuals hired by the Georgia Department of Defense Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy; and WHEREAS, she began working at the academy as a cadre, and through her drive, inspiration, and genuine love for the youth of this state, she gradually rose to the position of lead teacher of the academy; and WHEREAS, during her more than 30 years of exemplary service to the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy, Valerie Barnett earned the respect and admiration of its staff, graduates, and families alike, all of whom cherish her tireless efforts and support; and WHEREAS, despite her retirement in August 2022, she continues to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to youth through her ongoing volunteerism as an official mentor to multiple young cadets and graduates; and WHEREAS, this distinguished gentlewoman has given inspiration to many through her high ideals, morals, and deep concern for her fellow citizens, and she possesses the vast wisdom which only comes through experience and the strength of character which is achieved through overcoming the many challenges of life; and WHEREAS, Valerie Barnett is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately honored. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Valerie Barnett for her decades of exceptional service on behalf of the youth of this state and this nation as well as extend best wishes for future health and happiness. 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 Valerie Barnett. ## 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 commends Valerie Barnett for more than 30 years of mentoring youth at the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy after her military service and retirement. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Valerie Barnett, not a change to state law. It recounts her 21 years as an Army logistics officer, her role as one of the first three people hired at the Georgia Department of Defense's Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy, and her rise from cadre member to lead teacher over more than 30 years there. The resolution recognizes her continued volunteer mentoring of young cadets and graduates even after her retirement in August 2022. It formally commends her for her service to youth and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Valerie Barnett for decades of service mentoring youth in Georgia. - States the House's praise for her military career and her work at the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to her. - Extends the House's best wishes to her for future health and happiness. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names Valerie Barnett, a retired Army logistics officer and longtime staff member of the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who must prepare the commemorative copy. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect; it does not change Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is a formal, public statement of appreciation from the Georgia House of Representatives, along with a printed copy given to Barnett. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses detail Barnett's 21 years in the U.S. Army and her subsequent hiring at the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge Academy. - The resolved clause formally commends her for her service to youth and wishes her future health and happiness. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Barnett. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-12) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-03-12) - Sponsors: Al Williams, Buddy DeLoach - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74069 > The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1687.md?full=1