25 LC 129 0356 House Resolution 675 By: Representatives Powell of the 33 rd , Washburn of the 144 th , DeLoach of the 167 th , Parrish of the 158 th , Carpenter of the 4 th , and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Keith Hatcher upon his retirement; and for other purposes. 1 WHEREAS, Keith Hatcher received a bachelor of science degree in political science from2 Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia, in 1985; and3 WHEREAS, Keith Hatcher served as a legislative intern for the former Senator Al Halloway4 during the 1986 session of the Georgia General Assembly; and5 WHEREAS, Keith Hatcher was hired by the Georgia Association of REALTORS (GAR) to6 serve as a lobbyist for the Governmental Affairs Department in June 1986, and led the7 department until 2015; and8 WHEREAS, his lobbying efforts have been instrumental in several crucial legislative9 victories for REALTORS, including the passage of the Commercial Brokers Lien Rights Act10 and the Brokerage Relationship in Real Estate Transactions Act in 1993, the signing into law11 of the Landlord Tenant Act in 1997, the defeat of a proposed real estate transfer tax increase12 in Georgia in 1998, and the passage of legislation to limit the state's use of Eminent Domain13 in 2006; and14 H. R. 675 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0356 WHEREAS, he received the GAR President's Award in 1998 for his tireless efforts in 15 defeating the transfer tax increase legislation; and16 WHEREAS, he served as the Chair of the Real Estate Trade Group for multiple legislative17 sessions, Chair of Georgia Chamber of Commerce Environment, Energy, Natural Resources,18 and Water Management committee in 2011; is a member of the Georgia Chamber of19 Commerce's Governmental Affairs Council Executive Committee; and has served on the20 Board of Directors for the National Kidney Foundation, serving Georgia and Alabama, since21 2009; and22 WHEREAS, he opened his own consulting firm in 2016, and served multiple clients until his23 retirement in 2024; and 24 WHEREAS, he has worked under six Georgia Governors, six Lieutenant Governors, and six25 Speakers of the House, earning the respect of multiple generations of legislators through his26 honest brokerage and passionate advocacy; and 27 WHEREAS, he has gained acclaim away from the General Assembly as a result of his28 extraordinary proficiency with a pool stick and his hole in one at Cateechee golf Club.29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that30 the members of this body recognize and commend Keith Hatcher for his efficient, effective,31 unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia; congratulate him upon the32 grand occasion of his retirement; and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued33 health and happiness.34 H. R. 675 - 2 - 25 LC 129 0356 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized 35 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Keith36 Hatcher.37 H. R. 675 - 3 -