--- title: HR 725. National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr725 cite_as: HR 725, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr725 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr725.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr725/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71683 date: 2025-03-25 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/hr724.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr726.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr725.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 725 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-25 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Arlene Beckles - Derrick Jackson - Kim Schofield - Viola Davis - Sandra Scott - Jasmine Clark text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR725/2025 upstream_id: 2014745 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - vitiligo awareness - nonprofit recognition - health advocacy - Georgia House resolution --- # HR 725. National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3473 House Resolution 725 By: Representatives Beckles of the 96th, Jackson of the 68th, Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foun dation; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation was founded in 2010 by Natasha3 Pierre McCarthy in Atlanta, Georgia, while she was teaching at Point University, inspired4 by the biblical figure Nehemiah and her vision to create a supportive community for those5 living with vitiligo; and6 WHEREAS, the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation has since e xpanded its advocacy7 efforts to 20 states, helping volunteers establish awareness initiatives and serving as a model8 for support groups and nonprofits both nationally and internationally; and9 WHEREAS, in 2011, the organization successfully advocated for June to be recognized as10 Vitiligo Awareness Month and secured a proclamation from then-Governor Nathan Deal, a11 tradition that has continued under Governor Brian Kemp; and12 WHEREAS, the foundation has partnered with Emory Dermatology to host educational13 support groups and has established online and offline communities offering vital resources14 for individuals with vitiligo; and15 H. R. 725 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3473 WHEREAS, the organization has also engaged in many youth and public outreach initiatives,16 such as Advocacy Day at the Capitol, self-esteem photo shoots, the Rise & Shine:17 Empowering Youth for Change program, and the annual Vitiligo Bond 5K; and18 WHEREAS, its commitment to health and skincare advocacy has inc luded national19 sunscreen and skincare awareness campaigns focused on youth and adults with vitiligo,20 outreach efforts in Haiti, and corporate partnerships with L'Oréal, Dermablend, and Macy's21 to support awareness and education; and22 WHEREAS, the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation has been re cognized for its23 outstanding efforts with the 2023 USA Presidential Lifetime Ach ievement Award for24 Volunteer Service as well as the Morehouse and NCBON Unsung Hero Award; and25 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to appropriately h onor this remarkable26 organization during this special time.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28 the members of this body recognize and commend the National Vit iligo Bond Inc.29 Foundation for its invaluable contributions to vitiligo awarene ss and support as well as30 extend best wishes for its continued success.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the33 National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation.34 H. R. 725 - 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 commends the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation, an Atlanta based nonprofit, for its work supporting people with vitiligo, a skin condition. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, a formal statement of praise rather than a change to state law. It recognizes the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation, founded in Atlanta in 2010 by Natasha Pierre McCarthy, for its work raising awareness about vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment. The resolution recounts the foundation's history, including its role in getting June recognized as Vitiligo Awareness Month, its partnership with Emory Dermatology, youth outreach programs, corporate partnerships, and national awards it has received. The House resolves to recognize and commend the foundation and directs the Clerk of the House to provide the organization a copy of the resolution. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation for its work on vitiligo awareness and support. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the foundation. - Does not create any new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of praise. - Recounts the foundation's history and achievements, including securing June as Vitiligo Awareness Month in Georgia. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the National Vitiligo Bond Inc. Foundation and its founder Natasha Pierre McCarthy. It has no legal effect on other individuals, businesses, or government agencies beyond the House Clerk's administrative task of distributing a copy. ### Why it matters Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights, obligations, or funding. Its practical effect is symbolic recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives, which can raise public visibility for the foundation's vitiligo awareness work. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe the foundation's founding in 2010, its expansion to 20 states, and its advocacy that led to June being designated Vitiligo Awareness Month. - The resolved clause states the House recognizes and commends the foundation for its contributions to vitiligo awareness and support. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to the foundation. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-25) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-25) - Sponsors: Arlene Beckles, Derrick Jackson, Kim Schofield, Viola Davis, Sandra Scott, Jasmine Clark - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71683 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr725.md?full=1