HR 582: Morelli, Maritza; receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award; commend

House Resolution 582

By: Representatives Roberts of the 52nd, Panitch of the 51st, Lupton of the 83rd, Holland of the 54th, and Silcox of the 53rd

A RESOLUTION

Congratulating and commending Maritza Morelli for receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, in 1999, Representative Nikki T. Randall became the first African American female elected to the General Assembly from middle Georgia, and over her 17 years of service as a legislator, she held numerous leadership positions, including chair of the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus; and

WHEREAS, every year during Women's History Month, the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus recognizes outstanding women in Georgia who exemplify the leadership and inspiration embodied by Representative Randall; and

WHEREAS, Maritza Morelli serves as the executive director and visionary co-founder of Los Niños Primero, an organization dedicated to uplifting Latino children and families in Atlanta through culturally rich and inclusive education programs; and

WHEREAS, originally from Venezuela, she founded the organization in 2001 with the support of Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church and launched the first Los Niños Primero Summer Program alongside the late bilingual speech pathologist and diagnostician Martha Barrios Mead, which welcomed 17 young students for two weeks of inspiring learning and community connection; and

WHEREAS, under her leadership, Los Niños Primero has grown to impact more than 6,200 Latino children, youth, and families through programs that foster academic readiness, community engagement, and leadership development; and

WHEREAS, Maritza Morelli has been widely recognized for her exemplary efforts, receiving the Congressional Honor from Congresswoman Lucy McBath in 2022 and being named one of Georgia's 50 Most Influential Latino Leaders by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this extraordinary servant leader be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body congratulate and commend Maritza Morelli for receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award and extend best wishes for her continued success.

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 Maritza Morelli.