---
title: HR 1979. Hyland, Donna W.; retirement from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1979
cite_as: HR 1979, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1979
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1979.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1979/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74550
date: 2026-03-27
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
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next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1980.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 134
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1979.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1979
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-03-27
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Butch Parrish
  - Jon Burns
  - Lee Hawkins
  - Darlene Taylor
  - Mark Newton
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1979/2025
upstream_id: 2139174
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - legislative commendation
  - children's healthcare
  - Georgia House resolution
  - pediatric medicine
---

# HR 1979. Hyland, Donna W.; retirement from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; commend

## Text

House Resolution 1979
By: Representatives Parrish of the 158th, Burns of the 159th, Hawkins of the 27th, Taylor of
the 173rd, and Newton of the 127th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Donna W. Hyland upon her retirement from Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Donna W. Hyland has served with honor as a distinguished leader at Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta for four decades; and
WHEREAS, during her transformational tenure, Donna W. Hyland served in a number of
key roles, including her 18 years as Chief Executive Officer of one of the most prestigious
pediatric healthcare systems in the country and also as a leading voice in our state for the
health of kids; and
WHEREAS, she was a driving force behind some of the most defining milestones in the
organization's history, tirelessly championing efforts to meet the rapidly growing needs of
Georgia's children and ensuring a lasting legacy of nationally renowned care for future
generations of Georgians; and
WHEREAS, she is a discerning and dedicated guardian of pediatric health who strives for
excellence in all of her endeavors and whose primary motivation is to make all the children
of Georgia better today and healthier tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, this passionate leader exhibited extraordinary devotion to duty, tireless passion,
astute leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all of her duties despite many
challenges, including a multi-year international pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Donna W. Hyland's unwavering commitment to doing the best for children has
inspired others and been recognized by her peers through many decorations, honors, awards
and appointments, including her induction as a Georgia Trustee; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that gratitude is expressed for the unparalleled
and transformative contributions of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta on behalf of the citizens
of this state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend Donna W. Hyland upon the grand
occasion of her retirement for her ardent, effective, and dedicated service to the children of
Georgia as well as express their utmost appreciation for having so purely and truly defined
for others the meaning of being a dedicated advocate for the state's youngest and most
vulnerable.
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
Donna W. Hyland.

## 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 Donna W. Hyland on her retirement from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta after four decades of leadership, including 18 years as chief executive officer.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Donna W. Hyland for her career at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. It recites her four decades with the organization, including 18 years as Chief Executive Officer, and credits her with helping shape key milestones in the hospital system's history and expanding pediatric care in Georgia.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law, create any program, or spend any state money. It simply states that the House recognizes and commends Hyland upon her retirement, and it directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. This is a common type of bill used to formally honor individuals or mark occasions.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and commends Donna W. Hyland by name for her career and retirement from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
- States the House's appreciation for her 18 years as Chief Executive Officer and her broader role in pediatric health advocacy in Georgia.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Hyland.
- Takes no action affecting state law, funding, or any government agency beyond this ceremonial recognition.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly names Donna W. Hyland and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. It has no broader legal effect on other Georgians, agencies, or organizations; it is a personal honor rather than a policy change.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences for Georgians. Its practical effect is limited to putting the House's formal appreciation on the public record and giving Hyland a printed copy honoring her career.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses lay out Hyland's four decades at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, including 18 years as CEO, and her recognition as a Georgia Trustee.
- The resolving clause formally commends Hyland for her service to children in Georgia upon her retirement.
- A further resolution directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Hyland.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-27)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-03-27)
- Sponsors: Butch Parrish, Jon Burns, Lee Hawkins, Darlene Taylor, Mark Newton
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74550

> The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1979.md?full=1