| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2908 |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 210 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | By: Representatives Petrea of the 166 |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | th |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | , Hatchett of the 155 |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | th |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | , Corbett of the 174 |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | th |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | , Burchett |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | of the 176 |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | th |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | , Cannon of the 172 |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | nd |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | , and others |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | A RESOLUTION |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | Commending the Georgia Forestry Commission for serving the State of Georgia as an |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | 1 |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | emergency response agency; and for other purposes.2 |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly established the Forestry Act of 1921, providing3 |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | for a State Board of Forestry, to protect Georgia's forest resources; and4 |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has worked diligently toward its mission "to5 |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | provide leadership, service, and education to protect and conserve Georgia's forest resources"6 |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | and its vision of "healthy and abundant forests that support a robust industry while providing7 |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | social, environmental, and financial benefits to all of Georgia" since 1921; and8 |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has protected Georgia's forests and citizens9 |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | from an average of 3,000 wildfires that burn 18,500 acres per year and has responded to10 |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | historic wildfire events, including catastrophic fires in 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2017; and11 |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission assists public and private landowners in the12 |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | established practice of prescribed burning to reduce hazardous fuels, protect communities13 |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | from extreme wildfires, minimize the spread of insects and diseases, and improve habitats14 |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | for threatened and endangered species; and15 |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | H. R. 210 |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2908 |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission plays a vital role in the state's emergency |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | 16 |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | response during natural disasters and other events that require quick action to protect public17 |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | safety and environmental health; and18 |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | WHEREAS, employees of the Georgia Forestry Commission have responded to all-hazard19 |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | events, including but not limited to Hurricane Katrina, Winter Storm Pax, Hurricane Michael,20 |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Helene, President Jimmy Carter's funeral, and Avian21 |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | Influenza response efforts; and22 |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | WHEREAS, employees of the Commission are trained to meet national standards as23 |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | Firefighter Type 1 and Firefighter Type 2 or are POST-certified law enforcement officers and24 |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | undergo specific, rigorous training and assignments to maintain qualifications to respond to25 |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | wildfires and all-hazard incidents; and26 |
|---|
| 46 | 46 | | WHEREAS, employees of the Commission serve the citizens of the state with dedication,27 |
|---|
| 47 | 47 | | heart, and determination to ensure the safeguarding of communities as well as the protection28 |
|---|
| 48 | 48 | | and conservation of forest resources for the next generation.29 |
|---|
| 49 | 49 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that30 |
|---|
| 50 | 50 | | the members of this body commend the Georgia Forestry Commission for its decades of31 |
|---|
| 51 | 51 | | dedicated, efficient, and effective service on behalf of the citizens of this state as well as32 |
|---|
| 52 | 52 | | extend sincere best wishes for continued success.33 |
|---|
| 53 | 53 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized34 |
|---|
| 54 | 54 | | and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to State35 |
|---|
| 55 | 55 | | Forester John Sabo.36 |
|---|
| 56 | 56 | | H. R. 210 |
|---|
| 57 | 57 | | - 2 - |
|---|