SR874: SR874 Johnson, Rita Celeste; recognize

26 LC 112 3746 Senate Resolution 874 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Dixon of the 45th, Payne of the 54th, McLaurin of the 14th and Howard of the 35th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Rita Celeste Johnson; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Rita Celeste Johnson, a native of Bardstown, Kentucky, graduated from2 Bardstown High School in 1987 and was later inducted into the B ardstown High School3 Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of her athletic excellence; and4 WHEREAS, she earned a four-year athletic scholarship to Bellarm ine University in5 Louisville, Kentucky, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1992; and6 WHEREAS, she began her professional career with State Farm Insurance in 1992 as an Auto7 Claims Field Adjustor, serving for seven years before relocating to Fort Lauderdale, Florida,8 to join the State Farm Catastrophe Services Team, where she served in a managerial capacity9 for approximately three years; and10 WHEREAS, after witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of c atastrophic events on11 families and communities, she chose to further serve others as an insurance agent and small12 business owner, ultimately establishing her business in Griffin, Georgia; and13 S. R. 874 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3746 WHEREAS, in January 2013, she was elected to the Spaulding Coun t y B o a r d o f14 Commissioners representing District 3, where she demonstrated a passion for excellence,15 sustainability, innovation, customer service, and responsible public stewardship; and16 WHEREAS, throughout her public service, Commissioner Johnson wo rked to strengthen17 county governance, support community growth, and advocate for policies that enhanced the18 quality of life for residents of Spaulding County; and19 WHEREAS, she has remained actively engaged in civic and community leadership, serving20 on the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors, the Griffin21 Downtown Main Street Executive Board of Directors, as President of the American Business22 Women's Association Griffin-Spalding County Iris Chapter, and as a member of Saint John's23 Lutheran Church in Spaulding County; and24 WHEREAS, Rita Celeste Johnson's career reflects a lifetime of l eadership, resilience,25 service, and dedication to both public and private sectors, leaving a lasting impact on Griffin26 and Spaulding County.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body28 recognize and commend Rita Celeste Johnson for her distinguishe d service as a former29 Spaulding County Commissioner and for her continued leadership as a businesswoman and30 community advocate.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Rita Celeste33 Johnson.34 S. R. 874 - 2 -