SR689: SR689 The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium and Cancer Pathways; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium (a program of the Georgia Department of Public Health), HPV Cancer Free GA, and Cancer Pathways for their work on cervical cancer prevention, screening, and HPV vaccination education in Georgia. The resolution cites statistics on cervical cancer screening rates, HPV vaccination rates, and cancer diagnoses in Georgia compared to national averages, and notes disparities in several counties. It formally honors Sharon J Hill and Demetrius Geiger as the 2026 Georgia HPV Community Champions and marks the 11th anniversary of the advocacy effort now known as The Susan Jolley Foundation, led by Triana Arnold James. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the named organizations.

• Formally recognizes and commends The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium, and Cancer Pathways for cervical cancer education work in Georgia.
• Names Sharon J Hill and Demetrius Geiger as the 2026 Georgia HPV Community Champions for their community leadership.
• Cites statewide data on cervical cancer screening rates, HPV vaccination rates, and case and death counts to describe the scope of the issue in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the honored organizations.

The resolution directly names The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium (housed within the Georgia Department of Public Health), HPV Cancer Free GA, Cancer Pathways, and two named individuals honored as 2026 HPV Community Champions.

The resolution carries no legal or funding effect but gives formal, public recognition from the Georgia Senate to organizations and individuals working on cervical cancer prevention, which can raise visibility for HPV vaccination and screening efforts statewide.

• The preamble cites Georgia's cervical cancer screening rate at about 76.5 percent, below the national median of 77.7 percent.
• The preamble notes screening rates below 60 percent in Forsyth, McIntosh, Towns, and Franklin counties.
• The preamble states about 327 new cervical cancer cases and 204 deaths occur annually in Georgia.
• The resolved clause formally commends the 2026 Georgia HPV Community Champions for their leadership and impact.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the named organizations.

1. 2026-02-05Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)Primary sponsor

• cervical cancer awareness
• HPV vaccination
• public health
• legislative recognition