Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 227: Gavalis; Joseph; condolences

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 11, 2025 · Passed

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House Resolution 227

By: Representatives Cooper of the 45th, Seabaugh of the 34th, Parsons of the 44th, Carson of the 46th, and Ehrhart of the 36th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and memory of Joseph Gavalis; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Joseph Gavalis; and

WHEREAS, during his distinguished career as a federal agent, Joseph Gavalis fought against organized crime and labor racketeering, taking on dangerous mobsters and corrupt labor bosses to protect workers striving to make a living; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from federal law enforcement, he and his wife, Susan, settled in Cobb County, Georgia, where he served as a leader and president of his homeowner's association, resolving neighbors' concerns, navigating local government, and acting as a liaison with local police; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Gavalis volunteered extensively with the Cobb County government, serving on the Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission and as a founding member of the Cobb County Elder Abuse Task Force, where he collaborated with officials and legislators to combat elder abuse; and

WHEREAS, as founder of the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, he worked with local and federal law enforcement across the region, educated groups about scams targeting the elderly, and helped resolve local issues related to elder abuse; and

WHEREAS, over 10 years, he conducted workshops for approximately 10,000 seniors, teaching them about elder abuse prevention and distributing scent kits to help locate dementia sufferers before harm could occur; and

WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Joseph Gavalis will long be remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Joseph Gavalis and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.

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 the family of Joseph Gavalis.