Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SR 126: World Refugee Day; recognize February 13, 2025

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 5, 2025 · Passed

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Senate Resolution 126

By: Senators Esteves of the 35th, Merritt of the 9th, Orrock of the 36th, Harbison of the 15th, Jones of the 10th and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing February 13, 2025, as World Refugee Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia has a long history of extending welcome to new Americans from around the world, giving them an opportunity to live, work, and thrive in the state; and

WHEREAS, today, one in ten Georgians—more than one million people—are foreign-born, bringing valuable skills and talents from countries around the world to the state; and

WHEREAS, approximately one in eight Georgia workers is foreign-born, as are one in five doctors and home health aides; one in five science and technology professionals; one in five manufacturing workers; and nearly half of all workers in the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, hardworking foreign-born Georgians across all sectors paid over $11 billion in federal, state, and local taxes and held more than $32 billion in spending power in 2021 alone; and

WHEREAS, nearly half of all foreign-born Georgians are already naturalized United States citizens eligible to vote and many more are on the path toward citizenship; and

WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians were never more essential to the state than during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving in disproportionate numbers in front line jobs in hospitals and assisted living facilities, farms and food processing plants, warehouses and delivery services, and more; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the oldest and most successful refugee programs in the United States, with approximately 90 percent of refugees economically self-sufficient within six months; and

WHEREAS, aid organizations with the state such as the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies and The Welcome Co-Op further serve to bridge the gap for incoming refugees as well as highlight the cultural, social, and economic contributions of immigrants in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is a welcoming home for peoples of all origins and from all walks of life, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that these new Americans be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend the manifold contributions of immigrants and refugees to the State of Georgia and recognize February 13, 2025, as World Refugee Day at the state capitol. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.