HR 1800: Jones, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan; extraordinary service to the State of Georgia; occasion of her retirement; recognize

House Resolution 1800

By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Dempsey of the 13th, Smith of the 70th, Martin of the 49th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her extraordinary service to the State of Georgia upon the occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, the longest-serving Speaker Pro Tempore in United States history, is retiring after more than two decades of dedicated service in the Georgia House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, she was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and has faithfully represented portions of North Fulton and East Cherokee, including the communities of Milton, Mountain Park, and parts of Roswell and Alpharetta; and

WHEREAS, a trailblazer for women in Georgia politics, she was elected Speaker Pro Tempore in 2010, becoming the first woman to serve in that role and the highest-ranking woman in Georgia legislative history—she was the first and only woman to date to serve as a conferee on the General Assembly's budget, and she further made history by serving as Georgia's first female Speaker of the House during a leadership transition in 2022; and

WHEREAS, prior to her election as Speaker Pro Tempore, she served with distinction as Majority Whip and as Chair of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and

WHEREAS, officially named the "Mother of Milton" by the city's Mayor and Council, she was instrumental in the creation of the City of Milton and led the successful 2006 cityhood referendum; and

WHEREAS, her leadership has focused on improving the lives of women in Georgia and has resulted in transformative investments and reforms in K-12 and higher education; and

WHEREAS, widely regarded as one of the foremost legislative experts on public education in Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jones has devoted her career to strengthening educational opportunities and outcomes for students across the state; and

WHEREAS, through her leadership and dedication, she made possible lasting policy achievements that expanded opportunity for Georgia students, including strengthening the HOPE Scholarship with STEM grade weighting and expanding Georgia's Pre-K program through increased funding for teacher salaries and additional classrooms; and

WHEREAS, her work empowered families and strengthened educational access statewide by increasing options for students assigned to low-performing schools and establishing a statewide network of regional public schools serving students at risk of dropping out, creating additional pathways for success for every learner; and

WHEREAS, born in Warner Robins, Georgia, she and her husband, Kalin, have called Milton home for more than 25 years, and together they have been blessed with four children and four grandchildren, with a fifth grandchild on the way; and

WHEREAS, through her visionary leadership, deep policy expertise, and unwavering commitment to the people of Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones has left an enduring legacy of service, innovation, and opportunity that will benefit generations to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her outstanding career of public service and extend their deepest gratitude and best wishes upon the occasion of her retirement.

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 Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones.