HR1640: HR1640 Reheis, Harold Franklin; condolences

26 LC 112 3871 House Resolution 1640 By: Representatives Smith of the 70th, Corbett of the 174th, Smith of the 138th, DeLoach of the 167th, Greene of the 154th, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the members of this body join family and friends throu ghout Georgia in2 mourning the passing of Harold Franklin Reheis at the age of 81 , former environmental3 protection division director; an advocate for clean air, land, and water; and pivotal leader in4 bettering the State of Georgia's environment; and5 WHEREAS, born in 1944 and graduating from high school at Warner Robins Air Force6 Base, Georgia, Mr. Reheis went on to graduate college from the Georgia Institute of7 Technology and the University of Florida with degrees in civil- sanitary engineering and8 environmental engineering; and9 WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis devoted his professional life to protecting Georgia's natural10 resources over a distinguished career spanning more than 60 years, serving with the United11 States Geological Survey; with Jordan, Jones and Goulding; as director of the Environmental12 Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and with Joe Tanner13 & Associates; and14 H. R. 1640 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3871 WHEREAS, at the start of Mr. Reheis' career, most of Georgia's rivers were grossly polluted,15 the air in metropolitan Atlanta had harmful amounts of carbon m onoxide and ozone, and16 garbage was disposed of or burned in open dumps throughout the state; and17 WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis helped establish and implement programs to address these serious18 issues, passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and cre ating the programs to19 remediate over 100 hazardous sites in Georgia; and20 WHEREAS, respected for his leadership in shaping and enforcing environmental laws, Mr.21 Reheis helped position Georgia as a model for other states, especially through his expertise22 in water resources management, strengthening both the state's environment and its economy;23 and24 WHEREAS, Mr. Reheis was widely acclaimed for his leadership in working with the25 governor and Georgia General Assembly to maintain "One-Stop" pe rmitting of26 environmental laws and for diplomatically enforcing them in ways that enabled Georgia to27 effectively issue permits for companies wanting to move to and grow in the state.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that29 the members of this body honor the life and legacy of Harold Franklin Reheis and recognize30 his extraordinary contributions to the protection and conservat ion of Georgia's natural31 resources.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized33 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the34 family of Harold Franklin Reheis.35 H. R. 1640 - 2 -