---
title: SR 680. Georgia School of Orthodontics; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr680
cite_as: SR 680, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr680
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr680.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr680/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72729
date: 2026-02-03
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr680.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 680
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-02-03
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Emanuel Jones
  - Kim Jackson
  - RaShaun Kemp
  - Kenya Wicks
  - Sally Harrell
  - Randal Mangham
  - Gail Davenport
  - Sonya Halpern
  - Elena Parent
  - Tonya Anderson
  - Jaha Howard
  - Nikki Merritt
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR680/2025
upstream_id: 2104355
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Georgia Senate resolution
  - orthodontic education
  - dental healthcare access
  - ceremonial recognition
---

# SR 680. Georgia School of Orthodontics; recognize

## Text

Senate Resolution 680
By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 41st, Kemp of the 38th, Wicks of the 34th,
Harrell of the 40th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commemorating the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its
10th anniversary and inviting its leadership to be recognized by the Georgia Senate; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), founded in 2014 by Mr. Chris
Lazzara and Dr. Gasper Lazzara, was established to expand access to advanced orthodontic
education while providing affordable, high-quality orthodontic care to the citizens of
Georgia; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics was conceived with a dual mission of
post-secondary professional education and community-based public service, addressing
critical workforce needs while improving access to oral healthcare for underserved
populations; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the late Congressman John Lewis, a revered civil rights leader and
longtime public servant, supported GSO's accreditation efforts as one of the first signatories
of a congressional letter to the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), recognizing
the institution's commitment to equity, representation, and opportunity within the dental
profession; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the Georgia School of Orthodontics officially opened its Atlanta clinic
and received initial accreditation from CODA, welcoming its inaugural class of 18 residents
and two fellows, while committing to provide $100,000 in complimentary orthodontic
treatment to underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, GSO expanded its footprint with the opening of a state-of-the-art clinic
in Duluth, Georgia, doubling its capacity to educate residents and serve patients throughout
the Atlanta metropolitan region; and
WHEREAS, in that same year, the Georgia School of Orthodontics launched Purple Heart
Smiles in partnership with the Georgia Dental Foundation, providing complimentary
orthodontic care to children-and now grandchildren-of Purple Heart recipients, honoring the
sacrifices of America's military families; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, GSO became the first orthodontic institution in the nation to be
officially designated a Purple Heart School, further demonstrating its deep and sustained
commitment to veterans and military families; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Georgia School of Orthodontics celebrated its first graduating class
and earned CODA Approval Without Reporting Requirements, the highest level of
accreditation status; and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 through 2022, GSO implemented
innovative educational and clinical models that ensured uninterrupted resident education,
patient care, and research, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and adaptability during a
public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, GSO expanded its community outreach through the Gift of a Smile
Heroes initiative, extending complimentary orthodontic care to adult community heroes who
serve and strengthen Georgia's communities; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, CODA approved an expansion of GSO's residency program, increasing
class size from 36 to 45 residents to meet growing national demand for orthodontic
specialists; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the Class of 2026 achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the American
Board of Orthodontics written examination, marking the fifth consecutive year of this
distinction, and GSO graduated its largest class to date; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, GSO opened the Lazzara Orthodontic Center for Research, positioning
the State of Georgia as a national leader in orthodontic research, innovation, and scholarly
publication; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the Georgia School of Orthodontics partnered with the John and Lillian
Miles Lewis Foundation to establish the $8.5 million John Lewis Legacy Scholarship,
expanding access to orthodontic education while honoring the enduring legacy of
Congressman John Lewis; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, the Georgia School of Orthodontics has treated more than
14,600 patients, generated an estimated $46.6 million in savings for Atlanta-area families,
awarded over $5 million in scholarships to 73 recipients, provided more than $290,000 in
complimentary orthodontic care, and educated 172 alumni, including 34 Diplomats of the
American Board of Orthodontics; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia School of Orthodontics operates more than 36,753 square feet of
clinical, educational, and research facilities across two campuses, contributing significantly
to Georgia's healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and national reputation in
orthodontic education.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
commend and congratulate the Georgia School of Orthodontics on the occasion of its 10th
anniversary and recognize its outstanding contributions to public service, healthcare access,
professional education, and community impact in the State of Georgia and across the nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Georgia School of Orthodontics, its founders,
leadership, faculty, residents, and staff be formally invited to the floor of the Georgia Senate
on a date designated by the Secretary of the Senate to be recognized for these achievements.
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 the Georgia
School of Orthodontics.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Senate resolution honors the Georgia School of Orthodontics on its 10th anniversary, praising its education and community service work, and invites its leaders to be recognized on the Senate floor.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or obligations. It recounts the history of the Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO), founded in 2014 by Chris Lazzara and Gasper Lazzara, including its accreditation, clinic openings in Atlanta and Duluth, its Purple Heart Smiles program for military families, and its research and scholarship programs, including the $8.5 million John Lewis Legacy Scholarship.
The resolution formally congratulates the school for its contributions to healthcare access, professional education, and community service in Georgia. It invites the school's founders, leadership, faculty, residents, and staff to appear on the Senate floor on a date chosen by the Secretary of the Senate, and directs the Secretary to provide the school with a copy of the resolution.

### What it does

- Formally commends and congratulates the Georgia School of Orthodontics on its 10th anniversary for its work in education, healthcare access, and community service.
- Invites the school's founders, leadership, faculty, residents, and staff to appear on the floor of the Georgia Senate on a date set by the Secretary of the Senate.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia School of Orthodontics.
- Creates no new legal requirements, funding, penalties, or changes to Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of recognition.

### Who it affects

The Georgia School of Orthodontics and its founders, leadership, faculty, residents, and staff are directly named for recognition. The resolution also references Purple Heart recipients' families and past community outreach recipients, though it creates no obligations for them.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no legal or financial effect; it does not change any law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is a public, on-the-record honor for the school and an invitation for its representatives to be recognized by the Senate.

### Key provisions

- The resolution recounts GSO's founding in 2014 and its history of accreditation, clinic expansions, and community programs through 2025.
- The first resolving clause has the Senate commend and congratulate GSO for its contributions to healthcare, education, and public service.
- The second resolving clause invites GSO's founders, leadership, faculty, residents, and staff to appear on the Senate floor on a date set by the Secretary of the Senate.
- The final resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to GSO.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-02-03)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-02-03)
- Sponsors: Emanuel Jones, Kim Jackson, RaShaun Kemp, Kenya Wicks, Sally Harrell, Randal Mangham, Gail Davenport, Sonya Halpern, Elena Parent, Tonya Anderson, Jaha Howard, Nikki Merritt
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72729

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr680.md?full=1