HR1325: HR1325 New Americans Day at the state capitol; February 12, 2026; recognize

26 LC 129 1050 House Resolution 1325 By: Representatives Roberts of the 52nd, Draper of the 90th, Lupton of the 83rd, Au of the 50th, Tran of the 80th, 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 the state; and7 WHEREAS, today, 11 percent of Georgians–more than 1.2 million people– are foreign-born,8 bringing valuable skills and talents from countries around the world to the state; and 9 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 as home health aides, physicians, and surgeons as U.S.-born13 workers; and14 H. R. 1325 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1050 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; and 17 WHEREAS, nearly half of all foreign-born Georgians are already naturalized United States18 citizens eligible to vote and many more are on the path toward citizenship; and 19 WHEREAS, since the withdrawal of United States forces from Afgh anistan in August20 2021and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgia has provided refuge to thousands21 and granted humanitarian parole to escape those countries and come to safety in the United22 States, including many who risked their lives to support the United States' mission overseas;23 and 24 WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the oldest and most successful refu gee programs in the25 United States, with approximately 90 percent of refugees economically self-sufficient within26 six months; and 27 WHEREAS, Georgia is a welcoming home for peoples of all origins and from all walks of28 life, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that these new Am ericans be appropriately29 recognized.30 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that31 the members of this body recognize and commend the manifold contributions of immigrants32 to the State of Georgia and recognize February 12, 2026, as New Americans Day at the state33 capitol. 34 H. R. 1325 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1050 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized35 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the36 public and the press.37 H. R. 1325 - 3 -