SR 814: Pippin, Kay; recognize

Senate Resolution 814

By: Senators Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Walker III of the 20th, Hatchett of the 50th and Strickland of the 42nd

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Kay Pippin; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Kay Pippin has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that she has played in leadership and her deep personal commitment to the welfare of the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, she has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of her time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of her community and state as evidenced dramatically by her superlative service as Mayor of Jackson, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Kay Pippin was the first woman to seek the mayor's seat in the 200 year history of the city of Jackson, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure as mayor, she installed over four miles of new water and sewer lines, installed new water infrastructure leading to the industrial park, paved numerous streets, installed new LED street lamps, landscaped the town square, built an 11 mile mountain biking and hiking trail connecting the downtown to Indian Springs State Park, removed over 160 blighted properties, and purchased a number of new police and public works vehicles including a new, state-of-the art fire truck; and

WHEREAS, she also secured green spaces for pocket parks and planted multiple trees, ensured employees received annual salary increases and improved benefits each year the mayor was in office, continued the city's history of no city property taxes, secured the city's first ever state and federal grants totaling $8 million, and successfully managed 8 city services including 24/7 police, fire, city court, roads and streets, water and sewer, as well as delivery of electricity to over 5,000 customers; and

WHEREAS, prior to her election, she served nine years (1985-1994) on the Butts County Board of Education and had an extensive career with the Georgia Association of Educators where she served in many capacities including Director of Government Relations and Chief Lobbyist; and

WHEREAS, she served as a lobbyist in 24 sessions of the Georgia General Assembly and coordinated the political involvement of over 40,000 school employees during her career; and

WHEREAS, after her 1998 retirement from the Georgia Association of Educators, Kay Pippin served as the President/CEO of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce in McDonough, Georgia, from 2002 to 2013; and

WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Chamber became a powerful voice and partner on important public policy issues, including improving academic success of the public school system, securing a technical college, building one of Georgia's first academies for advanced studies, securing a new exit on I-75, and conducting annual planning retreats involving 80 leaders of county and city governments; and

WHEREAS, she is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Kay Pippin for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the City of Jackson, Henry County, Butts County, and the State of Georgia and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness. 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 Kay Pippin.