---
title: HR 1982. Gayle, Mrs. Theresa; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1982
cite_as: HR 1982, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1982
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1982.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1982/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74553
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
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1981.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1983.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 134
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1982.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1982
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:
  - Carl Gilliard
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1982/2025
upstream_id: 2139175
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - commendation resolution
  - Savannah community
  - House of Representatives honors
---

# HR 1982. Gayle, Mrs. Theresa; commend

## Text

House Resolution 1982
By: Representative Gilliard of the 162nd
A RESOLUTION
Commending and congratulating Mrs. Theresa Gayle; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of one the
City of Savannah's most stellar citizens, Mrs. Theresa Gayle, for being a faithful worker and
loving mother who played a vital role in our community at large; and
WHEREAS, keenly aware of the fact that family extends beyond the bloodline, Mrs. Gayle
adopted, nurtured, and provided for many children in the neighborhood, becoming a
surrogate mother to those in need, and she served as a faithful beautician, doing hair for the
ladies in the community; and
WHEREAS, her entrepreneurial spirit allowed her to put smiles on children's faces as they
purchased and enjoyed her homemade candy apples and thrills while providing extra income
for her household; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gayle showed up for her children at home and in school, serving as an
active member of the Booster Club at Richard Arnold High School, and she was also
involved in activities at Beach High School in support of her children, where she is an
illustrious Beach High School alum and former basketball player; and
WHEREAS, being employed as a domestic worker, Mrs. Gayle spent countless hours—often
on her hands and knees—working hard taking care of the homes and families of Savannah's
wealthy residents in order to provide for her family and ensure that they enjoyed a better life.
Her sacrifices did not go unnoticed and helped her instill the value of a good work ethic,
honesty, and integrity in her children; and
WHEREAS, she has successfully raised five children from 31st and Habersham Street,
rooting them in a foundation of Christian love, guidance, and support as well as teaching
them that they can go anywhere from here. Inspiring them to dream big and cast a wide net,
her children, Carl Gayle, Dr. Catherine Gayle, Eric Gayle, Jacquelyn Edwards, and Daren
Gayle, have all gone on to pursue rewarding careers in Savannah and beyond, making a name
for themselves in their own right; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gayle has been a pillar in her faith community as a long-time member of
St. John Baptist Church, serving as a past president of the Usher Board and being a part of
the Usher Ministry for decades.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body commend Mrs. Theresa Gayle for her unselfish, dedicated, and
loving service to the members of her family and community; congratulate her on the
remarkable occasion of her 85th birthday; and extend their most sincere best wishes for
continued 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 Mrs.
Theresa Gayle.

## 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 honors Savannah resident Mrs. Theresa Gayle for her decades of community service, motherhood, and career on her 85th birthday.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing Mrs. Theresa Gayle of Savannah. It does not change any law; it formally commends her for raising five children, working as a beautician and domestic worker, informally caring for other children in her neighborhood, and serving for decades at St. John Baptist Church.
The resolution congratulates her on her 85th birthday and wishes her continued health and happiness. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for her, which is the standard closing step for this kind of honorary measure.

### What it does

- Formally commends Mrs. Theresa Gayle for her service to her family and the Savannah community.
- Congratulates her on the occasion of her 85th birthday.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to her.
- Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a symbolic honor with no regulatory effect.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly names and honors Mrs. Theresa Gayle and references her five children. It has no broader legal effect on other Georgians, but it reflects recognition of her role in the Savannah community and at St. John Baptist Church.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences for Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic and personal: it gives official state recognition to one Savannah woman's life of family caregiving and community service, and provides her with a keepsake copy from the legislature.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses describe Mrs. Gayle's work as a beautician, candy apple seller, domestic worker, and informal caretaker of neighborhood children.
- The resolved clause commends her service and congratulates her on her 85th birthday, expressing wishes for continued health and happiness.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to provide her with an official copy of the resolution.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-03-27)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-03-27)
- Sponsors: Carl Gilliard
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74553

> The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1982.md?full=1