--- title: HR 241. Land, Edgar; 2024 Citizen of the Year; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr241 cite_as: HR 241, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr241 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr241.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr241/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70225 date: 2025-02-11 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/hr240.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr242.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr241.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 241 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-11 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Johnny Chastain - Matthew Gambill - Chuck Efstration text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR241/2025 upstream_id: 1965771 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Citizen of the Year - Gilmer County - community service - legislative commendation --- # HR 241. Land, Edgar; 2024 Citizen of the Year; commend ## Text House Resolution 241 By: Representatives Chastain of the 7th, Gambill of the 15th, and Efstration of the 104th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Edgar Land, the 2024 Citizen of the Year; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, through his lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and leadership, Edgar Land has made a profound and lasting impact on Gilmer County and beyond, resulting in his recognition as the 2024 Citizen of the Year; and WHEREAS, he is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, mentors others through Bible studies, and shares his musical talents as a pianist; and WHEREAS, he extends his service beyond his church by leading Bible studies for residents at The Oaks Assisted Living Facility, offering them spiritual guidance and fellowship; and WHEREAS, Edgar Land has mentored countless young people throughout the community, positively influencing their lives and guiding them toward success and fulfillment; and WHEREAS, he has held leadership roles in numerous community organizations, including the Ellijay Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Gilmer County, and has served as past president of the Coosawattee Shrine Club, Past Worshipful Master of the Oak Bowery Lodge, and Past Grand Master of the Masons in Georgia, the highest office in Masonry; and WHEREAS, as further testament to his dedicated service, he was awarded the Scottish Rite Mason's 33rd Degree, a distinguished honor achieved by few; and WHEREAS, he has additionally overseen impactful programs such as the Georgia Child Identification Program (GACHIP), which provides comprehensive child recovery, identification, and abduction awareness resources to parents; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkable individual be appropriately honored during this special time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Edgar Land, the 2024 Citizen of the Year, as well as extend sincere best wishes for future health, happiness, and success. 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 Edgar Land. ## 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 Edgar Land of Gilmer County as the 2024 Citizen of the Year for his community service, mentorship, and civic leadership. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Edgar Land, who was named the 2024 Citizen of the Year in Gilmer County. It lists his volunteer work, including serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at New Hope Baptist Church, leading Bible studies for residents at The Oaks Assisted Living Facility, mentoring young people, and holding leadership roles in groups like the Ellijay Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Gilmer County, and Masonic organizations. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House recognizes and commends Edgar Land and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for him. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Edgar Land as the 2024 Citizen of the Year on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives. - Extends the House's best wishes to Edgar Land for future health, happiness, and success. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Edgar Land. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Edgar Land, a Gilmer County resident. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is tasked with preparing a copy of the resolution for him. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and creates no new rules for Georgians. Its practical significance is symbolic: it gives official state recognition to one person's community service and provides him with a formal keepsake document. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Edgar Land's service at New Hope Baptist Church, his mentorship work, and his leadership in the Ellijay Lions Club, Rotary Club of Gilmer County, and Masonic organizations. - The resolving clause states the House's recognition and commendation of Edgar Land as the 2024 Citizen of the Year. - A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Edgar Land. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-11) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-11) - Sponsors: Johnny Chastain, Matthew Gambill, Chuck Efstration - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70225 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr241.md?full=1