--- title: HR 734. Atlanta News First (Atlanta WANF-TV); outstanding contribution to civic engagement and patriotism through the "Pledge of the Day" initiative; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr734 cite_as: HR 734, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr734 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr734.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr734/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71692 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/hr733.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr735.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr734.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 734 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: - Kim Schofield - Sandra Scott - Doreen Carter - Viola Davis - Long Tran text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR734/2025 upstream_id: 2014716 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - civic engagement - Pledge of Allegiance - Georgia media - legislative commendation --- # HR 734. Atlanta News First (Atlanta WANF-TV); outstanding contribution to civic engagement and patriotism through the "Pledge of the Day" initiative; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3471 House Resolution 734 By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Scott of the 76th, Carter of the 93rd, Davis of the 87th, and Tran of the 80th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Atlanta News First (Atlanta WANF-TV) for its outstanding1 contribution to civic engagement and patriotism through the "Pledge of the Day" initiative;2 and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, Atlanta News First (WANF-TV) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment4 to fostering patriotism and civic responsibility among the yout h of Georgia through the5 "Pledge of the Day" initiative; and6 WHEREAS, under the leadership of Erik Schrader, President and G eneral Manager of7 Atlanta News First (WANF-TV), Atlanta News First has provided a platform for elementary8 school students across metro Atlanta to lead the Pledge of Alle giance, instilling in them a9 sense of national pride and unity; and10 WHEREAS, this initiative was developed in 2024 by Representative Kim Schofield of House11 District 63, Atlanta, with the vision of expanding its reach to engage elementary schools12 across the State of Georgia; and13 H. R. 734 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3471 WHEREAS, the "Pledge of the Day" initiative encourages civic ed ucation, reinforces the14 values of democracy, and fosters a spirit of unity among students, educators, and families in15 communities throughout Georgia; and16 WHEREAS, by showcasing young students leading the Pledge of All egiance on Atlanta17 News First and PeachtreeTV, this initiative serves as an inspiration for schools, communities,18 and media organizations to promote civic engagement at an early age; and19 WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to honor Atlanta News First (WANF-TV); Erik Schrader,20 President and General Manager of Atlanta News First (WANF-TV); and all those involved21 in the "Pledge of the Day" initiative for their efforts in enha ncing civic engagement and22 encouraging students to take pride in their country.23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that24 the members of this body recognize and commend Atlanta News Fir st (WANF-TV); Erik25 Schrader, President and General Manager of Atlanta News First ( WANF-TV); and26 Representative Kim Schofield for their dedication to civic education through the "Pledge of27 the Day" initiative and express appreciation for their leadership in fostering patriotism among28 Georgia's youth.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Atlanta31 News First (WANF-TV); Erik Schrader, President and General Mana ger of Atlanta News32 First (WANF-TV); and Representative Kim Schofield.33 H. R. 734 - 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 Atlanta News First (WANF-TV) and its president Erik Schrader for the station's 'Pledge of the Day' initiative, which has elementary students lead the Pledge of Allegiance on air. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Atlanta News First (WANF-TV) for its 'Pledge of the Day' initiative. The program, developed in 2024 by Representative Kim Schofield of House District 63, gives elementary school students across metro Atlanta the chance to lead the Pledge of Allegiance on air through Atlanta News First and PeachtreeTV. The resolution recognizes the station, its president and general manager Erik Schrader, and Representative Schofield for promoting civic education and patriotism among young people. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the honorees. It does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it is purely a formal recognition. ### What it does - Formally commends Atlanta News First (WANF-TV) for its 'Pledge of the Day' initiative that has elementary students lead the Pledge of Allegiance on air. - Recognizes Erik Schrader, the station's president and general manager, for supporting the initiative. - Credits Representative Kim Schofield of House District 63 with developing the initiative in 2024. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the honorees. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names Atlanta News First (WANF-TV), its president and general manager Erik Schrader, and Representative Kim Schofield. It also touches elementary schools and students across metro Atlanta who take part in the 'Pledge of the Day' broadcasts. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it does not change Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical impact is symbolic, giving formal legislative recognition to a local media initiative and the people behind it. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe the 'Pledge of the Day' initiative, its 2024 origin under Representative Kim Schofield, and its broadcast on Atlanta News First and PeachtreeTV. - The resolving clause formally commends Atlanta News First (WANF-TV), Erik Schrader, and Representative Schofield for their work on civic education and patriotism. - A further resolution clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the honorees. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-25) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-25) - Sponsors: Kim Schofield, Sandra Scott, Doreen Carter, Viola Davis, Long Tran - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71692 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr734.md?full=1