HR1194: HR1194 Martin, Lara S., MA, MPH; exceptional service and leadership in advancing global health, humanitarian response, and human rights; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any law. Instead, it recognizes Lara S. Martin, MA, MPH, for more than 17 years of work in global public health, disaster management, and humanitarian response, including managing health and nutrition programs in Sudan and South Sudan and co-leading a remote disease surveillance system in Syria for the World Health Organization. The resolution also notes her contributions to humanitarian field manuals and textbooks, her leadership roles at organizations such as Save the Children and The Carter Center, and her current role as Chair of the Board of Directors for Positive Impact Health Centers in Atlanta. The House formally commends her and directs the Clerk of the House to provide her a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Lara S. Martin, MA, MPH, for her service in global public health, humanitarian response, and human rights.
• States the House's recognition of her career achievements, including work in Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria and her role at Positive Impact Health Centers in Atlanta.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Lara S. Martin.
• Extends the House's best wishes for her continued success, without creating any new law, funding, or requirement.

The resolution directly names and honors Lara S. Martin, MA, MPH. It also references organizations tied to her career, including Positive Impact Health Centers in Atlanta, Save the Children, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Emory University's Center for Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, and The Carter Center.

This is a symbolic honor rather than a policy change, so it does not alter any Georgia law, program, or funding. Its practical effect is limited to formal recognition of Ms. Martin's career and the Clerk's distribution of a commemorative copy to her.

• The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) recounts Ms. Martin's career, including managing U.S.-funded health and nutrition programs in Sudan and South Sudan.
• Notes her co-leadership of the World Health Organization's first remote surveillance system in Syria and her co-authorship of the Inter-Agency Field Manual for Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings.
• Cites her leadership roles at Save the Children, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Emory University's Center for Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, and The Carter Center.
• The resolving clause formally commends her for her service and leadership in public health, humanitarian assistance, and human rights.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to her.

1. 2026-02-02House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-02-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)Primary sponsor
• Karla Drenner (D, HD-085)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Imani Barnes (D, HD-086)
• Marvin Lim (D, HD-098)

• global health
• humanitarian aid
• human rights
• legislative commendation
• Atlanta community health