25 LC 112 2731
Senate Resolution 126
By: Senators Esteves of the 35th, Merritt of the 9th, Orrock of the 36th, Harbison of the 15th,
Jones of the 10th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 13, 2025, as World Refugee Day at the state capitol; and for other
1
purposes.2
WHEREAS, Georgia has a long history of extending welcome to new Americans from3
around the world, giving them an opportunity to live, work, and thrive in the state; and4
WHEREAS, today, one in ten Georgians—more than one million people—are foreign-born,5
bringing valuable skills and talents from countries around the world to the state; and6
WHEREAS, approximately one in eight Georgia workers is foreign-born, as are one in five7
doctors and home health aides; one in five science and technology professionals; one in five8
manufacturing workers; and nearly half of all workers in the construction industry; and9
WHEREAS, hardworking foreign-born Georgians across all sectors paid over $11 billion in10
federal, state, and local taxes and held more than $32 billion in spending power in 202111
alone; and12
WHEREAS, nearly half of all foreign-born Georgians are already naturalized United States13
citizens eligible to vote and many more are on the path toward citizenship; and14
S. R. 126
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WHEREAS, foreign-born Georgians were never more essential to the state than during the
15
COVID-19 pandemic, serving in disproportionate numbers in front line jobs in hospitals and16
assisted living facilities, farms and food processing plants, warehouses and delivery services,17
and more; and18
WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the oldest and most successful refugee programs in the19
United States, with approximately 90 percent of refugees economically self-sufficient within20
six months; and21
WHEREAS, aid organizations with the state such as the Coalition of Refugee Service22
Agencies and The Welcome Co-Op further serve to bridge the gap for incoming refugees as23
well as highlight the cultural, social, and economic contributions of immigrants in Georgia;24
and25
WHEREAS, Georgia is a welcoming home for peoples of all origins and from all walks of26
life, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that these new Americans be appropriately27
recognized.28
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29
recognize and commend the manifold contributions of immigrants and refugees to the State30
of Georgia and recognize February 13, 2025, as World Refugee Day at the state capitol.31
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32
to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the33
press.34
S. R. 126
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