Senate Resolution 1000
By: Senators Albers of the 56th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Still of the 48th, Walker III of the
20th, Anavitarte of the 31st and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her extraordinary service
to the State of Georgia upon the occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, the longest-serving Speaker Pro Tempore in
United States history, is retiring after more than two decades of dedicated service in the
Georgia House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, she was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and has
faithfully represented portions of North Fulton and East Cherokee, including the
communities of Milton, Mountain Park, and parts of Roswell and Alpharetta; and
WHEREAS, a trailblazer for women in Georgia politics, she was elected Speaker Pro
Tempore in 2010, becoming the first woman to serve in that role and the highest-ranking
woman in Georgia legislative history—she was the first and only woman to date to serve as
a conferee on the General Assembly's budget, and she further made history by serving as
Georgia's first female Speaker of the House during a leadership transition in 2022; and
WHEREAS, prior to her election as Speaker Pro Tempore, she served with distinction as
Majority Whip and as Chair of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and
WHEREAS, officially named the "Mother of Milton" by the city's Mayor and Council, she
was instrumental in the creation of the City of Milton and led the successful 2006 cityhood
referendum; and
WHEREAS, her leadership has focused on improving the lives of women in Georgia and has
resulted in transformative investments and reforms in K-12 and higher education; and
WHEREAS, widely regarded as one of the foremost legislative experts on public education
in Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jones has devoted her career to strengthening educational
opportunities and outcomes for students across the state; and
WHEREAS, through her leadership and dedication, she made possible lasting policy
achievements that expanded opportunity for Georgia students, including strengthening the
HOPE Scholarship with STEM grade weighting and expanding Georgia's Pre-K program
through increased funding for teacher salaries and additional classrooms; and
WHEREAS, her work empowered families and strengthened educational access statewide
by increasing options for students assigned to low-performing schools and establishing a
statewide network of regional public schools serving students at risk of dropping out,
creating additional pathways for success for every learner; and
WHEREAS, born in Warner Robins, Georgia, she and her husband, Kalin, have called
Milton home for more than 25 years, and together they have been blessed with four children
and four grandchildren, with a fifth grandchild on the way; and
WHEREAS, through her visionary leadership, deep policy expertise, and unwavering
commitment to the people of Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones has left an enduring
legacy of service, innovation, and opportunity that will benefit generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her outstanding career of public
service and extend their deepest gratitude and best wishes upon the occasion of her
retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Speaker Pro
Tempore Jan Jones.