HR1079: HR1079 Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Day at the state capitol; recognize

26 LC 129 0602 House Resolution 1079 By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Dempsey of the 13th, Greene of the 154th, Taylor of the 173rd, and Jones of the 47th A RESOLUTION Recognizing Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Day at the state capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) was creat ed in 1978 by3 executive order of Governor George Busbee; and4 WHEREAS, there are nearly 70 local Keep America Beautiful Affil iates in Georgia,5 representing one of the largest networks of local affiliates in the nation; and6 WHEREAS, the affiliate network and statewide KGBF program impac ts 80 percent of7 Georgia’s population through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and community8 beautification initiatives including the Greatest American Cleanup, America Recycles Day,9 the Bring One for the Chipper Christmas tree recycling campaign , Southwest Georgia10 Environmental Stewardship, Blight Reduction and Code Enforcemen t grants, and many11 more; and12 WHEREAS, these programs demonstrate measurable results includin g, reducing litter13 collected during the Greatest American Cleanup by 75 percent ov er the last 15 years,14 recycling more than 6 million Christmas trees since the start o f the Chipper program,15 H. R. 1079 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0602 providing 86 mini-grants to Georgia communities since the start of the grogram for a total16 of $400,000, including $205,000 to communities with populations up to 10,000; and17 WHEREAS, an average of 100,000 volunteers participate in KGBF and affiliate programs18 each year, representing an annual average of $87.31 million to Georgia taxpayers; and19 WHEREAS, within the last 10 years, the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation had returned20 an average of $119 in statewide annual benefits for every $1 invested by state government21 to help reduce crime, encourage economic development, and provide clean, green, healthy,22 and thriving communities.23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that24 the members of this body commend the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation and recognize 25 Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Day at the state capitol. 26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized27 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the28 Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation.29 H. R. 1079 - 2 -