--- title: HR 598. Timoteo, Kristen; Georgia Library Service's 2024 Library Employee of the Year; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr598 cite_as: HR 598, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr598 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr598.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr598/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71367 date: 2025-03-13 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 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/hr597.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr599.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr598.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 598 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-13 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Lynn Smith - David Jenkins - Robert Dawson - Josh Bonner - Lydia Glaize text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR598/2025 upstream_id: 2007002 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - public libraries - community service recognition - disability resilience - Grantville Georgia --- # HR 598. Timoteo, Kristen; Georgia Library Service's 2024 Library Employee of the Year; commend ## Text 25 LC 129 0192 House Resolution 598 By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Jenkins of the 136th, Dawson of the 65th, Bonner of the 73rd, and Glaize of the 67th A RESOLUTION Commending Kristen Timoteo, the Georgia Public Library Service's 2024 Library Employee1 of the Year; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Kristen Timoteo was named the 2024 Library Employee of the Year by the3 Georgia Public Library Service in recognition of her dedication and service to the Grantville4 Public Library; and5 WHEREAS, despite facing a sudden and life-altering event in November 2022 when she lost6 her vision due to complications from Lupus, she has remained co mmitted to her role,7 adapting to new challenges with resilience and determination; and8 WHEREAS, through extensive training, the use of screen readers, and a deep familiarity with9 her work, she continues to perform her duties, lead story times for children, and serve her10 community with unwavering dedication; and11 WHEREAS, since joining the Grantville Public Library 14 years a go, she has worked12 tirelessly to address the needs of local residents, promoting the library as a vital community13 hub and expanding its outreach efforts; and14 H. R. 598 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0192 WHEREAS, understanding the challenges faced by families in food deserts, she partnered15 with Backpack Buddies to provide food for children over the weekends and collaborated with16 a USDA sponsor to offer summer meals, ensuring that local children had reliable access to17 nutritious food; and18 WHEREAS, her perseverance, integrity, and compassion have earned her the admiration of19 colleagues and community members alike, with many praising her as a trusted partner, an20 empathetic leader, and a source of inspiration; and21 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this22 remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately honored.23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that24 the members of this body commend Kristen Timoteo, the Georgia Public Library Service's25 2024 Library Employee of the Year, and extend sincere best wish es for future health,26 happiness, and success.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized28 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to29 Kristen Timoteo.30 H. R. 598 - 2 - ## 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 Kristen Timoteo, a Grantville Public Library employee named the Georgia Public Library Service's 2024 Library Employee of the Year, for her service despite losing her vision. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Kristen Timoteo, an employee of the Grantville Public Library who was named the 2024 Library Employee of the Year by the Georgia Public Library Service. The text describes how she continued working after losing her vision in November 2022 due to complications from Lupus, learning to use screen readers and adapting her routine so she could keep leading children's story times and serving library patrons. The resolution also credits her with 14 years of service to the library, including partnering with Backpack Buddies and a USDA sponsor to provide food to local children facing food insecurity. It formally commends her and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. ### What it does - Formally commends Kristen Timoteo for being named the Georgia Public Library Service's 2024 Library Employee of the Year. - Recognizes her continued work at the Grantville Public Library after losing her vision in 2022 due to Lupus complications. - Credits her with 14 years of service, including partnerships with Backpack Buddies and a USDA sponsor to provide food for local children. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to her. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Kristen Timoteo, a Grantville Public Library employee. It also references the Georgia Public Library Service, the Grantville Public Library, and community partners like Backpack Buddies and a USDA meal sponsor. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or funding effect; it is a formal statement of recognition. Its practical impact is a ceremonial record praising Timoteo's community service and resilience, with a copy provided to her by the Clerk of the House of Representatives. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Timoteo's award, her vision loss from Lupus complications in November 2022, and her continued work using screen readers. - The whereas clauses note her 14 years at the Grantville Public Library and her partnerships with Backpack Buddies and a USDA sponsor to provide food for children. - The resolving clause commends Timoteo and extends best wishes for her future health, happiness, and success. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to her. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-13) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-13) - Sponsors: Lynn Smith, David Jenkins, Robert Dawson, Josh Bonner, Lydia Glaize - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71367 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr598.md?full=1