Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 985: Makhlouf, Very Reverend Father George Shukri; condolences
Last action April 4, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life of the Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf, a Palestinian-born Orthodox priest who later served a congregation in Atlanta, and offers condolences on his death.
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 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any law. Instead, it formally recognizes the life of Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf, who died on December 21, 2024, at age 81. The resolution recounts his history as a Palestinian Nakba survivor, his theological studies in Paris, his work as an educator, his ordination as a priest in 1985, and his ministry in New York and later at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The resolution states that the House joins in honoring his memory and expresses its sincere regret at his passing. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Expresses the House's sincere regret at his passing.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
- Makes no change to Georgia law, since it is a commemorative resolution rather than a bill creating or amending statutes.
Who it affects
The resolution directly concerns the family of Very Reverend Father George Shukri Makhlouf, including his sons, brother, nephews, nieces, and granddaughters, as well as members of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta and the Georgia House of Representatives, which adopts the tribute.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official public record of tribute to Father Makhlouf's life and ministry, giving his family and community a formal acknowledgment from the state legislature.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Father Makhlouf's biography, including his birth in Palestine, his 1948 displacement, his theological studies, his teaching career, and his 1985 ordination.
- The resolution notes his ministry in Ramallah, Yonkers and Long Island, New York, and later at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
- The resolving clause states the House joins in honoring his memory and expresses regret at his passing.
- A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare copies for public and press distribution.
From the bill
“he was born in Palestine and was one of 750,000 Palestinian Nakba survivors, enduring the hardships of being orphaned and expelled from his home in West Jerusalem to Jifna in 1948”
“his commitment to justice, equality, and the dignity of all people formed the cornerstone of his legacy”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Ruwa Romman (D, HD-97)
- El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
- Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
- Sam Park (D, HD-107)
- Marvin Lim (D, HD-98)
- Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-42)
Topics
- memorial resolution
- Georgia House of Representatives
- Atlanta clergy
- Palestinian history