HR1800: HR1800 Jones, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan; extraordinary service to the State of Georgia; occasion of her retirement; recognize

26 LC 112 3815 House Resolution 1800 By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Dempsey of the 13th, Smith of the 70th, Martin of the 49th, and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her extraordinary service1 to the State of Georgia upon the occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, the longest-serving Speaker Pro Tempore in3 United States history, is retiring after more than two decades of dedicated service in the4 Georgia House of Representatives; and5 WHEREAS, she was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2002 and has6 faithfully represented portions of North Fulton and East Cherok ee, including the7 communities of Milton, Mountain Park, and parts of Roswell and Alpharetta; and8 WHEREAS, a trailblazer for women in Georgia politics, she was e lected Speaker Pro9 Tempore in 2010, becoming the first woman to serve in that role and the highest-ranking10 woman in Georgia legislative history—she was the first and only woman to date to serve as11 a conferee on the General Assembly's budget, and she further ma de history by serving as12 Georgia's first female Speaker of the House during a leadership transition in 2022; and13 WHEREAS, prior to her election as Speaker Pro Tempore, she serv ed with distinction as14 Majority Whip and as Chair of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and15 H. R. 1800 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3815 WHEREAS, officially named the "Mother of Milton" by the city's Mayor and Council, she16 was instrumental in the creation of the City of Milton and led the successful 2006 cityhood17 referendum; and18 WHEREAS, her leadership has focused on improving the lives of women in Georgia and has19 resulted in transformative investments and reforms in K-12 and higher education; and20 WHEREAS, widely regarded as one of the foremost legislative experts on public education21 in Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jones has devoted her career to strengthening educational22 opportunities and outcomes for students across the state; and23 WHEREAS, through her leadership and dedication, she made possib le lasting policy24 achievements that expanded opportunity for Georgia students, including strengthening the25 HOPE Scholarship with STEM grade weighting and expanding Georgi a's Pre-K program26 through increased funding for teacher salaries and additional classrooms; and27 WHEREAS, her work empowered families and strengthened educational access statewide28 by increasing options for students assigned to low-performing s chools and establishing a29 statewide network of regional public schools serving students a t risk of dropping out,30 creating additional pathways for success for every learner; and31 WHEREAS, born in Warner Robins, Georgia, she and her husband, K alin, have called32 Milton home for more than 25 years, and together they have been blessed with four children33 and four grandchildren, with a fifth grandchild on the way; and34 H. R. 1800 - 2 - 26 LC 112 3815 WHEREAS, through her visionary leadership, deep policy expertis e, and unwavering35 commitment to the people of Georgia, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones has left an enduring36 legacy of service, innovation, and opportunity that will benefit generations to come.37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that38 the members of this body recognize and commend Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones for her39 outstanding career of public service and extend their deepest gratitude and best wishes upon40 the occasion of her retirement.41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized42 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to43 Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones.44 H. R. 1800 - 3 -