SR814: SR814 Pippin, Kay; recognize

26 LC 129 1185 Senate Resolution 814 By: Senators Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Walker III of the 20th, Hatchett of the 50th and Strickland of the 42nd A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Kay Pippin; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Kay Pippin has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital2 role that she has played in leadership and her deep personal co mmitment to the welfare of3 the citizens of Georgia; and4 WHEREAS, she has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of her time,5 talents, and energy toward the betterment of her community and state as evidenced6 dramatically by her superlative service as Mayor of Jackson, Georgia; and7 WHEREAS, in 2013, Kay Pippin was the first woman to seek the ma yor's seat in the 2008 year history of the city of Jackson, Georgia; and 9 WHEREAS, during her tenure as mayor, she installed over four mi les of new water and10 sewer lines, installed new water infrastructure leading to the industrial park, paved numerous11 streets, installed new LED street lamps, landscaped the town sq uare, built an 11 mile12 mountain biking and hiking trail connecting the downtown to Ind ian Springs State Park,13 removed over 160 blighted properties, and purchased a number of new police and public14 works vehicles including a new, state-of-the art fire truck; and 15 S. R. 814 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1185 WHEREAS, she also secured green spaces for pocket parks and pla nted multiple trees,16 ensured employees received annual salary increases and improved benefits each year the17 mayor was in office, continued the city's history of no city property taxes, secured the city's18 first ever state and federal grants totali ng $8 million, and su ccessfully managed 8 city19 services including 24/7 police, fire, city court, roads and streets, water and sewer, as well as20 delivery of electricity to over 5,000 customers; and21 WHEREAS, prior to her election, she served nine years (1985-199 4) on the Butts County22 Board of Education and had an extensive career with the Georgia Association of Educators23 where she served in many capacities including Director of Government Relations and Chief24 Lobbyist; and 25 WHEREAS, she served as a lobbyist in 24 sessions of the Georgia General Assembly and26 coordinated the political involvement of over 40,000 school emp loyees during her career;27 and28 WHEREAS, after her 1998 retirement from the Georgia Association of Educators, Kay29 Pippin served as the President/CEO of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce in30 McDonough, Georgia, from 2002 to 2013; and 31 WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Chamber became a powerful vo ice and partner on32 important public policy issues, including improving academic success of the public school33 system, securing a technical college, building one of Georgia's first academies for advanced34 studies, securing a new exit on I-75, and conducting annual planning retreats involving 8035 leaders of county and city governments; and 36 S. R. 814 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1185 WHEREAS, she is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for37 integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and38 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this39 remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.40 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body41 recognize and commend Kay Pippin for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated42 public service to the City of Jackson, Henry County, Butts County, and the State of Georgia43 and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed45 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Kay Pippin.46 S. R. 814 - 3 -