25 LC 129 0439 House Resolution 864 By: Representative Cheokas of the 151 st A RESOLUTION Honoring Melissa Montgomery; and for other purposes. 1 WHEREAS, Melissa Montgomery was the long time personal assistant to First Lady2 Rosalynn Carter; and3 WHEREAS, she was instrumental in the creation of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail4 through partnerships with Emory University's deRoode Monarch Lab and Research,5 Monarchs Across Georgia, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services; and6 WHEREAS, the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail began due to Rosalynn Carter's concern of7 the declining number of Monarch butterflies; and8 WHEREAS, in 2013, Rosalynn decided she wanted to include native plants that would9 provide habitat for Monarchs and other butterflies and pollinators in her private garden in10 Plains as a way to help Monarchs; and11 WHEREAS, this private garden was the beginning for the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail,12 which now has over 3,000 registered gardens across the United States; and13 H. R. 864 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0439 WHEREAS, the success of the trail is due to supporters like Melissa Montgomery, Mrs. 14 Carter's personal assistant, who for over 39 years coordinated the personal, family, business,15 and organizational details that Mrs. Carter was involved in; and16 WHEREAS, due to Melissa's commitment to Mrs. Carter's desire to help the Monarchs, the17 United States Fish and Wildlife Services entered into a partnership with the Rosalynn Carter18 Butterfly Trail assisting with establishing funding and resources for hundreds of butterfly19 gardens in public places and schools in the Southeastern United States; and20 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this outstanding Georgian be21 appropriately recognized. 22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that23 the members of this body honor the contributions Melissa Montgomery has made to the24 Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail.25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized26 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to27 Melissa Montgomery.28 H. R. 864 - 2 -