HR 1546: Latin American Association; LAA Day; March 10, 2026; recognize

House Resolution 1546

By: Representatives Carpenter of the 4th, Martinez of the 111th, Santos of the 117th, Reeves of the 99th, and Dubnik of the 29th

A RESOLUTION

Commending the Latin American Association and recognizing March 10, 2026, as LAA Day; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Latin American Association (LAA) has, since its founding in 1972, served as the preeminent organization supporting Georgia's Latino community, providing culturally responsive services that empower Latinos to adapt, integrate, and thrive; and

WHEREAS, the LAA has expanded over 54 years into a comprehensive, community-anchored organization offering vital services including economic empowerment, youth development, immigration legal assistance, family stabilization, and crisis intervention, ensuring that thousands of Georgia residents have access to resources and support; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is home to a rapidly growing Latino population whose cultural, civic, and economic contributions strengthen the state's prosperity and workforce, and the LAA's wrap-around model of services continues to play a critical role in supporting this growth and in fostering a thriving, inclusive Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the LAA's Family Services and Well-Being programs provide comprehensive support to low-income Latino families by addressing urgent needs such as housing instability, food insecurity, financial hardship, and domestic violence prevention, offering bilingual crisis intervention, resource navigation, and direct assistance that stabilizes households and strengthens community well-being across Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the LAA's Immigration Legal Services programs provides affordable, culturally competent legal assistance to low-income households, offering legal support and protections, thereby ensuring that vulnerable community members can navigate complex legal processes safely, remain united with their families, and build stable futures in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the organization provides Economic Empowerment programs, including, workforce development, ESL instruction, entrepreneurial training, and job fairs, support thousands of individuals each year in building long-term financial stability and contributing to Georgia's economic vibrancy; and

WHEREAS, the LAA's Youth Services programs cultivate the next generation of Latino leaders by providing mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and large-scale educational events that promote pathways to college and career success; and

WHEREAS, the LAA serves as a trusted partner to civic, corporate, nonprofit, and governmental institutions statewide, consistently demonstrating impact through community partnerships which expand the LAA's impact and exemplify the power of community-centered collaboration; and

WHEREAS, the LAA has become an indispensable voice on immigrant-related issues and a vital resource for many families seeking stability, safety, and opportunity in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to recognize March 10, 2026, as LAA Day for the decades of meaningful service, leadership, and dedication to advancing opportunity for all residents of the State of Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the Latin American Association and recognize March 10, 2026, as LAA Day.

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 Latin American Association.