SR741: SR741 New Americans Day; recognize February 12, 2026

26 LC 129 9018 Senate Resolution 741 By: Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st, Bearden of the 30th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the stat e capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, for the past 13 years, New Americans Day celebrations have brought hundreds3 of new Americans, friends, and community supporters to the state capitol annually for a day4 of education and celebration; and5 WHEREAS, Georgia has a long history of extending welcome to new Americans from6 around the world, giving them an opportunity to live, work, and thrive in this state; and7 WHEREAS, today, 11 percent of Georgians—more than 1.2 million p eople—are foreign-8 born, bringing valuable skills and talents from countries around the world to the state; and9 WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians contribute $15.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes10 annually and represent over $44 billion in spending power; and11 WHEREAS, approximately one in seven Georgia workers is foreign-born, and are twice as12 likely to fill high-demand roles such as home health aides, phy sicians, and surgeons as13 U.S.-born workers; and14 S. R. 741 - 1 - 26 LC 129 9018 WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians are 41 percent more likely than others to start new 15 businesses in the state, accounting for more than 20 percent of entrepreneurs in the state and16 generating more than $3.4 billion in business income annually; and17 WHEREAS, Georgia has provided refuge to thousands and granted humanitarian parole to18 escape other countries and come safely to the United States, including many who risked their19 lives to support the United States' mission overseas; and20 WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the oldest and most successful refu gee programs in the21 United States, with approximately 90 percent of refugees economically self-sufficient within22 six months; and23 WHEREAS, Georgia is a welcoming home for peoples of all origins and from all walks of24 life, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that these new Am ericans be appropriately25 recognized.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 commend the manifold contributions of immigrants to the State o f Georgia and recognize28 February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state capitol.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed30 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the31 press.32 S. R. 741 - 2 -