HR 1201: Johnson, Ambassador Davisha L.; Goodwill Ambassador for county and municipal economic diplomacy; recognize; support exploratory international engagement with Republic of Liberia

House Resolution 1201

By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 63rd

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson as a Goodwill Ambassador for county and municipal economic diplomacy; supporting exploratory international engagement with the Republic of Liberia; and encouraging state and municipal coordination in advancement of trade, tourism, and foreign direct investment in agriculture; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is a national leader in global trade, logistics, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and economic development, supported by its ports, transportation infrastructure, municipalities, counties, and diverse workforce; and

WHEREAS, Georgia's cities and counties play a critical role in attracting foreign direct investment, expanding export markets, supporting small and minority-owned businesses, and strengthening international tourism in alignment with state economic priorities; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Liberia is a strategic partner nation with longstanding historical, economic, and diaspora ties to the United States and the State of Georgia, and has expressed interest in structured subnational partnerships with U.S. states, municipalities, counties, and educational systems to advance trade, investment, workforce development, and institutional capacity; and

WHEREAS, Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson, founder of The African Diaspora Collective Worldwide (TADC), has demonstrated leadership in international, multi-state, county, and municipal economic development, agricultural transformation, diaspora investment facilitation, and public-private partnership formation aligned with governmental priorities; and

WHEREAS, Ambassador Johnson has engaged with governmental ministries, government agencies, county commissioners, mayoral councils, universities, cooperatives, and subnational authorities in the Republic of Liberia to support transparent, accountable, and scalable economic development initiatives; and

WHEREAS, the designation of a Goodwill Ambassador for county and municipal economic diplomacy advances the interests of the State of Georgia by strengthening international relationships, facilitating structured economic opportunity assessment, and providing a trusted liaison for municipalities, counties, and relevant state entities; and

WHEREAS, an exploratory and preparatory engagement during calendar year 2026, aligned with a Mayor's Global Summit and structured meetings with Liberian governmental counterparts, would allow Georgia officials and municipal stakeholders to conduct due diligence, assess economic opportunities, and inform future legislative and budget deliberations; and

WHEREAS, such engagement, when undertaken for a clear public purpose and accompanied by appropriate oversight and reporting, constitutes a legitimate governmental function in support of economic development and global competitiveness.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize Ambassador Davisha L. Johnson as a Goodwill Ambassador to the State of Georgia for County and Municipal Economic Diplomacy and International Trade Readiness, serving as a liaison to support Georgia municipalities, counties, and partners in structured international economic engagement. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body support exploratory international engagement with the Republic of Liberia and encourage state and municipal coordination in advancement of trade, tourism, and foreign direct investment in agriculture. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Governor of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Municipal Association, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and other appropriate stakeholders.