Georgia CommonsSR 28: Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta; recognize
Last action January 17, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Senate resolution recognizes the 51st anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta and commends its role in building ties between Georgia and Japan.
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 Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It marks the 51st anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta and lays out a history of economic, cultural, and educational ties between Georgia and Japan, including trade figures, sister-city relationships, and Japanese language education programs in Georgia schools. The resolution formally states that the Senate recognizes this anniversary and commends the Consulate-General's efforts to strengthen ties between the two places. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta as a keepsake or official acknowledgment. It does not create any new programs, funding, or legal requirements.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes the 51st anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Commends the Consulate-General's efforts to strengthen cultural, educational, political, and economic ties between Georgia and Japan.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta.
- Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia code.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta as the recipient of this recognition. It also references Georgia public school students, university Japanese language programs, sister cities, and Georgia businesses trading with Japan, though it imposes no obligations on any of them.
Why it matters
Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights or responsibilities. Its practical effect is symbolic: it puts the Georgia Senate on record honoring the diplomatic and economic relationship between Georgia and Japan and sends an official copy to the consulate.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe Georgia-Japan trade of $7.65 billion and 514 Japan-affiliated offices in Georgia employing 38,290 people.
- It notes sister-city relationships between eight Georgia cities and Japanese cities, plus a sister-state tie with Kagoshima Prefecture and a sister-port tie with the Port of Shimizu.
- It states nearly 1,000 Georgia public school students study Japanese and 13 Georgia colleges have Japanese language programs.
- The resolving clause formally recognizes the anniversary and commends the Consulate-General.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize the 51st anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta and the long and steady friendship between this state and Japan”
“there are 514 Japan affiliated offices (not including retail locations) now located in Georgia, employing 38,290 people”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
- Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
- Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
Topics
- Georgia-Japan relations
- Consulate-General of Japan
- international trade
- sister cities
- legislative resolution