House Resolution 452
By: Representatives Yearta of the 152nd, Chastain of the 7th, Gunter of the 8th, Williams of
the 148th, Richardson of the 125th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending the Georgia Forestry Commission for serving the State of
Georgia as an emergency response agency; the Worth County Unit on being named the 2024
Unit of the Year for Service; the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit on being named the 2024 Unit
of the Year for Community Engagement; Clark Rountree for being named 2024 Wildland
Firefighter of the Year; and Kevin Lee for being named 2024 Forester of the Year; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has worked diligently toward its mission "to
provide leadership, service, and education to protect and conserve Georgia's forest resources"
and its vision of "healthy and abundant forests that support a robust industry while providing
social, environmental, and financial benefits to all of Georgia" since 1921; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has protected Georgia's forests and citizens
from an average of 3,000 wildfires burning 18,500 acres per year and has responded to
historic wildfire events, including catastrophic fires in 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission assists public and private landowners in the
established practice of prescribed burning to reduce hazardous fuels, protect communities
from extreme wildfires, minimize the spread of insects and diseases, and improve habitats
for threatened and endangered species; and
WHEREAS, employees of the Georgia Forestry Commission are trained to meet national
standards as Firefighter Type 1 and Firefighter Type 2 or are POST-certified law
enforcement officers, undergoing specific and rigorous training and assignments to maintain
qualifications to respond to wildfires and all-hazards incidents; and
WHEREAS, the Worth County Unit was selected as the Georgia Forestry Commission's
2024 Unit of the Year for Service due to its outstanding accomplishments in serving
landowners through firebreak plowing, prescribed burn assists, and other services; and
WHEREAS, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit was selected as the Georgia Forestry
Commission's 2024 Unit of the Year for Community Engagement due to its exemplary
outreach efforts, including Smokey Bear programs, educational programs, and other
community initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Clark Rountree was selected as the Georgia Forestry Commission's 2024
Wildland Firefighter of the Year in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in all
areas of wildfire mitigation and suppression; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Lee was selected as the Georgia Forestry Commission's 2024 Forester
of the Year in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in all areas of forest
management; and
WHEREAS, employees of the Georgia Forestry Commission serve the citizens of the State
of Georgia with dedication, heart, and determination, ensuring the safeguarding of
communities as well as the protection and conservation of our forest resources for the next
generation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize the Georgia Forestry Commission as an emergency
response agency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body commend the Worth County
Unit, the Fannin/Towns/Union Unit, Clark Rountree, and Kevin Lee for their outstanding
achievements and recognition as the 2024 Unit of the Year for Service, Unit of the Year for
Community Engagement, Wildland Firefighter of the Year, and Forester of the Year.
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 State
Forester John Sabo.