HR1465: HR1465 Patafio, Alexandra "Alex" Marie; honoring the life and enduring legacy; indelible contributions to the Georgia legal community while a student at the Georgia State University College of Law; condolences

26 LC 129 1267 House Resolution 1465 By: Representatives Park of the 107th, Jones of the 47th, Kelley of the 16th, Holly of the 116th, and Holland of the 54th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring the life and enduring legacy of Alexandra "Alex" Marie Patafio1 for her indelible contributions to the Georgia legal community while a student at the Georgia2 State University College of Law; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, Alexandra Marie Patafio, affectionately known as Alex, enrolled in the Georgia4 State University College of Law in August 2020; and 5 WHEREAS, in a class of 215, Alex instantly became a standout as a natural born leader and6 trailblazer; and 7 WHEREAS, to her classmates, Alex was known for her charisma and contagious spirit,8 having adopted the motto "Do It Scared" because she knew any fears she had mattered less9 than the impact she could have on someone in need; and 10 WHEREAS, Alex was known to her professors as that rare type of student who could and11 did lead the charge to reinvigorate a community and as someone who had an unrelenting12 desire to not only know the law, but to seek justice; and 13 H. R. 1465 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1267 WHEREAS, these characteristics led her to become active with various initiatives offered14 by the College of Law including its Health Legal Partnership (H eLP) Clinic and the15 Alternative Spring Break pro bono program coordinated by its Center for Access to Justice;16 and 17 WHEREAS, in recognition of her fearless advocacy on behalf of c hildren and families18 receiving care at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Alex was aw arded the HeLP Legal19 Services Clinic Award; and20 WHEREAS, as a student leader in the Center for Access to Justice Alternative Spring Break21 program, Alex was instrumental in helping find resources for more than 1,000 tenants facing22 eviction, earning high praise and acclaim from the White House and the United States23 Department of Justice; and 24 WHEREAS, through her work in pro bono projects Alex played a vital role in helping secure25 the dismissal of criminal charges on behalf of a wrongfully accused individual who had spent26 months incarcerated, and her efforts were commended by the Supe rior Court of DeKalb27 County and featured on WSB-TV news; and 28 WHEREAS, on October 7, 2022, two months after her 30th birthday, and just seven months29 shy of earning her law degree, her short life came to a catastrophic end as a result of one bad30 decision of a drunk driver; and 31 WHEREAS, in life, Alex infused every program she participated i n at the Georgia State32 University College of Law with her boundless energy and impassioned devotion to the values33 of equal justice for all; and 34 H. R. 1465 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1267 WHEREAS, despite this heartrending loss, her memory lives on through the "Alex Patafio35 Public Interest Leadership Award," given to students who demonstrate exceptional promise36 in the field of public interest law; the "Class of 2023 Alex Patafio Scholarship," established37 by her graduating class to support future students who desire t o become advocates for the38 overlooked and underserved; and the Alex Patafio Foundation, established to create a world39 where alcohol related fatalities are nonexistent; and 40 WHEREAS, the Georgia State University College of Law thought it fitting and proper to41 posthumously award Alex the Juris Doctor degree with the distin ction of a Certificate in42 Public Interest Law and Policy at the Commencement Ceremonies of May 2023.43 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that44 the members of this body celebrate and honor the memory of Alex andra "Alex" Marie45 Patafio for the indelible contributions she made to the Georgia legal community, her46 treasured impact on the Georgia State University College of Law , and her inspiring47 commitment to access to justice.48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized49 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to her50 parents, Chris and Michelle Patafio; her sister, Michaela Pataf io Abdou; the Board of51 Directors of the Alex Patafio Foundation; and to Courtney L. Anderson, Dean of the Georgia52 State University College of Law. 53 H. R. 1465 - 3 -