HR 575: Moving in the Spirit; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Moving in the Spirit, a nonprofit founded in 1986 to use dance to empower underserved youth. The text recounts the organization's growth from a single class of 25 girls to a program that has reached more than 5,000 children directly and tens of thousands more through workshops and performances. The resolution notes achievements such as a 2005 White House ceremony honoring the group, a performance for former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the 2021 opening of a $10 million performing arts center at MARTA's Edgewood/Candler Park development. It also cites program outcomes like a 96 percent increase in student confidence and all graduating seniors pursuing further education, training, or military service. The House formally commends the organization and directs the Clerk to provide it a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Moving in the Spirit for its history of youth development work through dance and the arts.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the House.

The resolution directly names Moving in the Spirit, its founders Dana Lupton, Leah Mann, and Genene Stewart, and its partner organizations including the Atlanta Children's Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Atlanta, and KIPP Atlanta Schools.

The resolution has no legal or funding effect; it is a symbolic honor from the Georgia House recognizing a nonprofit's long-running youth arts program. Its main real-world effect is a formal, distributed copy of the House's recognition given to the organization.

• The whereas clauses recount the organization's 1986 founding, its growth to serving more than 5,000 children, and national recognition including a 2005 White House ceremony.
• The whereas clauses note the 2021 opening of a $10 million performing arts center at MARTA's Edgewood/Candler Park development.
• The resolving clause has the House commend Moving in the Spirit and extend best wishes for continued success.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to the organization.

1. 2025-03-11House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-11House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-11House Hopper (House)

• Karen Lupton (D, HD-83)Primary sponsor

• youth arts programs
• Atlanta nonprofits
• legislative commendation
• arts education