House Resolution 198
By: Representatives Oliver of the 84th, Drenner of the 85th, Davis of the 87th, Evans of the
57th, Williams of the 37th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 13, 2025, as New Americans Day at the state capitol; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, for the past 12 years, New Americans Day celebrations have brought hundreds
of new Americans, friends, and community supporters to the state capitol annually for a day
of education and celebration; and
WHEREAS, Georgia has a long history of extending welcome to new Americans from
around the world, giving them an opportunity to live, work, and thrive in the state; and
WHEREAS, today, one in ten Georgians—more than one million people—are foreign-born,
bringing valuable skills and talents from countries around the world to the state; and
WHEREAS, approximately one in eight Georgia workers is foreign-born, as are one in five
doctors and home health aides; one in five science and technology professionals; one in five
manufacturing workers; and nearly half of all workers in the construction industry; and
WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians are 41 percent more likely than others to start new
businesses in the state, accounting for more than 20 percent of entrepreneurs in the state and
generating more than $2.5 billion in business income annually; and
WHEREAS, hardworking foreign-born Georgians across all sectors paid over $11 billion in
federal, state, and local taxes and held more than $32 billion in spending power in 2021
alone; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of all foreign-born Georgians are already naturalized United States
citizens eligible to vote and many more are on the path toward citizenship; and
WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians were never more essential to the state than during the
COVID-19 pandemic, serving in disproportionate numbers in front line jobs in hospitals and
assisted living facilities, farms and food processing plants, warehouses and delivery services,
and more; and
WHEREAS, since the withdrawal of United States forces from Afghanistan in August 2021
and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgia has provided refuge to thousands and
granted humanitarian parole to escape those countries and come to safety in the United
States, including many who risked their lives to support the United States' mission overseas;
and
WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the oldest and most successful refugee programs in the
United States, with approximately 90 percent of refugees economically self-sufficient within
six months; and
WHEREAS, Georgia is a welcoming home for peoples of all origins and from all walks of
life, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that these new Americans be appropriately
recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend the manifold contributions of immigrants
to the State of Georgia and recognize February 13, 2025, as New Americans Day at the state
capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.