HR1201: HR1201 Johnson, Ambassador Davisha L.; Goodwill Ambassador for county and municipal economic diplomacy; recognize; support exploratory international engagement with Republic of Liberia

26 LC 129 0842 House Resolution 1201 By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 63rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson as a Goodwill Ambassa dor for county and1 municipal economic diplomacy; supporting exploratory international engagement with the2 Republic of Liberia; and encouraging state and municipal coordination in advancement of3 trade, tourism, and foreign direct investment in agriculture; and for other purposes.4 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is a national leader in global trade, logistics, agriculture,5 manufacturing, tourism, and economic development, supported by its ports, transportation6 infrastructure, municipalities, counties, and diverse workforce; and7 WHEREAS, Georgia's cities and counties play a critical role in attracting foreign direct8 investment, expanding export markets, supporting small and minority-owned businesses, and9 strengthening international tourism in alignment with state economic priorities; and10 WHEREAS, the Republic of Liberia is a strategic partner nation with longstanding historical,11 economic, and diaspora ties to the United States and the State of Georgia, and has expressed12 interest in structured subnational partnerships with U.S. states, municipalities, counties, and13 educational systems to advance trade, investment, workforce development, and institutional14 capacity; and15 H. R. 1201 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0842 WHEREAS, Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson, founder of The African Diaspora Collective16 Worldwide (TADC), has demonstrated leadership in international, multi-state, county, and17 municipal economic development, agricultural transformation, di aspora investment18 facilitation, and public-private partnership formation aligned with governmental priorities;19 and20 WHEREAS, Ambassador Johnson has engaged with governmental ministries, government21 agencies, county commissioners, mayoral councils, universities, cooperatives, and22 subnational authorities in the Republic of Liberia to support t ransparent, accountable, and23 scalable economic development initiatives; and24 WHEREAS, the designation of a Goodwill Ambassador for county and municipal economic25 diplomacy advances the interests of the State of Georgia by str engthening international26 relationships, facilitating structured economic opportunity ass essment, and providing a27 trusted liaison for municipalities, counties, and relevant state entities; and 28 WHEREAS, an exploratory and preparatory engagement during calendar year 2026, aligned29 w i t h a M a y o r ' s G l o b a l S u m m i t a n d s t r u c t u r e d m e e t i n g s w i t h L i b erian governmental30 counterparts, would allow Georgia officials and municipal stake holders to conduct due31 diligence, assess economic opportunities, and inform future leg islative and budget32 deliberations; and33 WHEREAS, such engagement, when undertaken for a clear public purpose and accompanied34 by appropriate oversight and reporting, constitutes a legitimat e governmental function in35 support of economic development and global competitiveness.36 H. R. 1201 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0842 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that37 the members of this body recognize Ambassador Davisha L. Johnso n as a Goodwill38 Ambassador to the State of Georgia for County and Municipal Eco nomic Diplomacy and39 International Trade Readiness, serving as a liaison to support Georgia municipalities,40 counties, and partners in structured international economic engagement.41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body support ex ploratory42 international engagement with the Republic of Liberia and encou rage state and municipal43 coordination in advancement of trade, tourism, and foreign direct investment in agriculture.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized45 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the46 Governor of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Economic Develop ment, the Georgia47 Municipal Association, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and other48 appropriate stakeholders.49 H. R. 1201 - 3 -