25 LC 129 0077 Senate Resolution 63 By: Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Williams of the 25th, Burns of the 23rd, Moore of the 53rd and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Joseph Gavalis; and for other purposes. 1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Joseph Gavalis; and3 WHEREAS, during his distinguished career as a federal agent, Joseph Gavalis fought against4 organized crime and labor racketeering, taking on dangerous mobsters and corrupt labor5 bosses to protect workers striving to make a living; and6 WHEREAS, after retiring from federal law enforcement, he and his wife, Susan, settled in7 Cobb County, Georgia, where he served as a leader and president of his homeowner's8 association, resolving neighbors' concerns, navigating local government, and acting as a9 liaison with local police; and10 WHEREAS, Joseph Gavalis volunteered extensively with the Cobb County government,11 serving on the Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission and as a founding member of the12 Cobb County Elder Abuse Task Force, where he collaborated with officials and legislators13 to combat elder abuse; and14 S. R. 63 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0077 WHEREAS, as founder of the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, he worked with local 15 and federal law enforcement across the region, educated groups about scams targeting the16 elderly, and helped resolve local issues related to elder abuse; and17 WHEREAS, over 10 years, he conducted workshops for approximately 10,000 seniors,18 teaching them about elder abuse prevention and distributing scent kits to help locate19 dementia sufferers before harm could occur; and20 WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern21 for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his22 family and friends were admired by others; and23 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation24 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he25 made this world a better place in which to live; and26 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Joseph Gavalis will long be remembered27 for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great28 fortune of knowing him.29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body30 join in honoring the life and memory of Joseph Gavalis and express their deepest and most31 sincere regret at his passing.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of34 Joseph Gavalis.35 S. R. 63 - 2 -