HR1985: HR1985 Hairston, Ruben; induction into the Fort Valley State Hall of Fame; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Ruben Hairston for his induction into the Fort Valley State Hall of Fame. It recounts his football career, including honors at Fort Valley State in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and time as a wide receiver with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, as well as his founding of the West Georgia Youth Football Camp. The resolution also details his public service career, including work as a Peach County deputy sheriff, service with the Troup County Sheriff's Office, a role as a Troup County magistrate judge, and his history as the first African American chief marshal in Georgia. The House formally recognizes and commends him and directs the Clerk of the House to provide him a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends Ruben Hairston for his induction into the Fort Valley State Hall of Fame.
• Documents his collegiate and professional football achievements, including honors in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and time with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
• Recounts his law enforcement career in Georgia, including service as a deputy sheriff, magistrate judge, and the state's first African American chief marshal.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Ruben Hairston.

This resolution directly names and honors Ruben Hairston. It does not create obligations for the public, but it does direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to him.

This is a ceremonial resolution rather than a change to Georgia law. Its practical effect is limited to an official statement of recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives and a commemorative copy provided to Ruben Hairston.

• The whereas clauses lay out Hairston's football career at Fort Valley State and in the NFL, along with his founding of the West Georgia Youth Football Camp.
• The whereas clauses also detail his law enforcement career, including his history as Georgia's first African American chief marshal and his recognition as Chief of the Year in 2002.
• The resolved clause formally commends Hairston on his induction into the Fort Valley State Hall of Fame and extends best wishes.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Hairston.

1. 2026-03-27House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-27House Hopper (House)

• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)Primary sponsor
• David Huddleston (R, HD-072)
• Vance Smith (R, HD-138)

• Fort Valley State University
• legislative honors
• law enforcement
• college football