Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 616: Yao, Mr. Francis Malan; condolences
Last action March 18, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life of Mr. Francis Malan Yao, an Atlanta resident and former U.S. Embassy staffer in Cote d'Ivoire, following his death in February 2025.
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 the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution is a formal tribute from the Georgia House of Representatives marking the passing of Mr. Francis Malan Yao, who died on February 9, 2025. It recounts his life story, including his birth in Cote d'Ivoire in 1945, his decades of service with the United States Embassy there, his work helping found and train staff for the U.S. Foreign Broadcasting Information Service, and his move to Atlanta in 2008 where he became part of the local diaspora community. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House joins in honoring his memory and expresses condolences, and it directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.
What the bill does
- Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Mr. Francis Malan Yao.
- Recites biographical details of his life and career, including his work with the U.S. Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire and later life in Atlanta.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to his family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial statement only.
Who it affects
This resolution directly affects the family of Mr. Francis Malan Yao, who will receive an official copy, and reflects a formal statement by the Georgia House of Representatives. It has no legal effect on the general public.
Why it matters
The resolution carries only symbolic weight. It creates an official public record of the Georgia House's recognition of Mr. Yao's life and provides his family with a formal document of remembrance, but it does not alter any rights, funding, or legal obligations.
Key provisions
- The resolution states the House's regret at Mr. Yao's passing and honors his life and memory.
- It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy available for distribution to his family.
From the bill
“the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mr. Francis Malan Yao and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)
- Gabe Okoye (D, HD-102)
- Arlene Beckles (D, HD-96)
- Sam Park (D, HD-107)
- Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
Topics
- condolence resolution
- Georgia House of Representatives
- Atlanta diaspora community