HR 992: Evans, Gail Hirschorn; extraordinary contributions to journalism, civic life, and mentorship in Georgia; honor

House Resolution 992

By: Representatives Holcomb of the 101st, Evans of the 57th, Buckner of the 137th, Kendrick of the 95th, and Oliver of the 84th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life, leadership, and legacy of Gail Hirschorn Evans and recognizing her for her extraordinary contributions to journalism, civic life, and mentorship in Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Gail Hirschorn Evans is a distinguished American journalist, author, lecturer, and business executive renowned for her pioneering contributions to media, her advocacy for women's empowerment, and her dedicated service to communities in Georgia and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Gail began her illustrious career in the early 1960s, serving on various congressional staffs and later in the White House during the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration; and

WHEREAS, she played a pivotal role in the creation of the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and contributed to the development of the monumental 1965 Civil Rights Act; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Gail joined Cable News Network (CNN) at its inception, and by 1996, through her outstanding leadership and work performance, she ascended to the role of Executive Vice President of the CNN Newsgroup, making her the highest-ranking female executive at the network; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure at CNN, Gail was responsible for program and talent development across all domestic networks; oversaw national and international talk shows; managed the Network Guest Bookings Department, which scheduled approximately 25,000 guests annually; and helped to create some of the network's most popular programs; and

WHEREAS, Gail is an accomplished author who has penned influential works focusing on women's success in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, beyond her professional accomplishments, Gail has been deeply involved in numerous charitable and educational initiatives, including service as chairperson of the Georgia Endowment for the Humanities and on the Commission on White House Fellows; and

WHEREAS, Gail has contributed to higher education in Georgia as a visiting professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Management, teaching courses on gender, race, and ethnicity in organizational behavior, and she has also served on the Board of Visitors at the Georgia State University School of Law and the Kennesaw State University Foundation; and

WHEREAS, her philanthropic efforts include active participation on the boards of the Society for Women's Health Research, the Radio Television News Directors Foundation, the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, and the Atlanta Girls School, and she has also served as a member of the Committee of 200, The International Women's Forum, and the Council on Foreign Relations; and

WHEREAS, Gail has willingly given her time to mentor countless individuals and has encouraged many to pursue lives of public service.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor Gail Hirschorn Evans for her remarkable achievements and contributions to society, commend her for her dedication to uplifting women and advancing equality, and express profound gratitude for her service to the State of Georgia and beyond. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Gail Hirschorn Evans.