HR1477: HR1477 Sports, Joseph A. "Joe"; honoring the life and memory; condolences

26 LC 112 3723 House Resolution 1477 By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Greene of the 154th, Stephens of the 164th, and Powell of the 33rd A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports on January 9, 2026; and3 WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was born on October 17, 1934, in Douglas, Georgia, a4 beloved son of Mae and Elisha Sports, and while still in high school, he began his journalism5 career at The Douglas Enterprise, where he eventually served as associate editor; and6 WHEREAS, after being drafted in 1957, he served for 18 months as a photographer within7 the United States Army, faithfully carrying out his duties while traveling across Europe; and8 WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports entered public service in9 Washington, D.C., as a staff member for Georgia Congresswoman Iris F. Blitch; and10 WHEREAS, he later returned to Georgia to serve as news director at WALB-TV in Albany,11 where his insight, professionalism, and political acumen further strengthened his reputation12 as a trusted communicator; and13 H. R. 1477 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3723 WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was selected thereafter by Jame s H. Gray to serve as14 executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, a role h e held until the election of15 Jimmy Carter as governor; and16 WHEREAS, following Governor Carter's appointment of David H. Gambrell to the United17 States Senate, he returned to Washington to serve as administrative assistant and later worked18 with United States Senator Sam Nunn and United States Congressman Dawson Mathis; and19 WHEREAS, after concluding his government service, he established a respected career as20 a public relations and legislative consultant, and in 2022, he returned to The Douglas21 Enterprise as a writer and photographer; and22 WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was united in marriage to his w ife, Ronda McNeil23 Davis, and was blessed with a remarkable daughter, Susan, as we ll as two wonderful24 grandsons, Ali and Amir; and25 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Joseph A. "Joe" Spor ts will long be26 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who27 had the great fortune of knowing him.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that29 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports and30 express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the33 family of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports.34 H. R. 1477 - 2 -