Georgia CommonsHR 314: Rathburn, Chelsea; distinguished Poet Laureate of Georgia; commend
Last action February 19, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution formally recognizes and commends Chelsea Rathburn, the state's Poet Laureate since 2019, for her literary career and contributions to Georgia's arts community.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Chelsea Rathburn, who has served as Georgia's Poet Laureate since 2019. It details her background, including her education, her move to Young Harris, Georgia, her teaching position at Mercer University, and her body of published poetry and prose. The resolution describes her role as Poet Laureate, including judging an annual statewide high school poetry contest and leading a Poetry in the Parks initiative that placed poems by Georgia poets along trails around the state. It closes by having the House formally recognize and celebrate her accomplishments and directing the Clerk of the House to provide her a copy of the resolution.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and celebrates Chelsea Rathburn as Georgia's Poet Laureate through a House resolution.
- Extends the House of Representatives' wishes for her continued success and happiness.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Rathburn.
- Does not create any new law, funding, or program; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily concerns Chelsea Rathburn herself. It also touches the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who must prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her, and reflects on institutions mentioned such as Mercer University and the Georgia Center for the Book.
Why it matters
As a ceremonial resolution, this does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements on anyone. Its practical effect is limited to formally recognizing Rathburn's literary contributions and providing her with an official copy of the resolution.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses recount Rathburn's biography, education, and literary career, including her 2019 appointment as Poet Laureate.
- It notes she judges the Poet Laureate's Prize, an annual statewide high school poetry contest.
- It references her 2021 Poets Laureate Fellowship used to create Georgia Poetry in the Parks, a poetry trail project with the Georgia Center for the Book and DeKalb Library Foundation.
- The resolving clause has the House formally recognize and celebrate Rathburn and wish her continued success.
- A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Rathburn.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize and celebrate Chelsea Rathburn as the Poet Laureate of Georgia as well as extend to her their most sincere wishes for continued success and happiness.”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
- Terry Cummings (D, HD-039)
- Sheila Jones (D, HD-060)
- Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
- Inga Willis (D, HD-055)
- Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
Topics
- Poet Laureate of Georgia
- arts and literature
- ceremonial resolution
- Chelsea Rathburn