Georgia-2009-HR1452-Introduced

By: Representatives Reece of the 11th, Dempsey of the 13th, Crawford of the 16th, Loudermilk of the 14th, Pruett of the 144th, and others

Commending Reverend Warren L. Jones as the Distinguished Older Georgian for 2010 and inviting him to be recognized by the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Reverend Warren L. Jones is still actively contributing to his state and community in his 88th year; and

WHEREAS, he is the only individual in the history of the University of West Georgia to be honored with its Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award, President's Award, and the Thelma Harmon Turner Loyalty Award; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Jones has served his community for 14 years on the board of Star House, was one of the seven founders of Rome's alcohol rehabilitation residence in 1970, serves on the board of Hospitality House shelter for battered and abused women and their young children, and was one of three founders of that shelter in 1978 along with a Roman Catholic nun and the wife of a Southern Baptist minister; and

WHEREAS, his contributions have been recognized by his community with numerous honors, including the Minister of the Year Award, a Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award for a life devoted to civil and human rights, a Heart of the Community Service Award, a Rome/Floyd Mental Health Association Ellis Hale Community Award, and designation in the Rome Lions Club "Book of Golden Deeds"; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Jones volunteers his time to Friends of the Library, works in the library gift shop, and greets and leads tours for visitors from as many as 45 states and 15 foreign countries for the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Center; and

WHEREAS, he was the first secretary of the First Faculty Preliminary Selection Committee of the Georgia Peabody Awards for radio and television and was named by the University of Georgia Henry W. Grady College of Mass Communication to the first class of Grady Fellows, which honors the 50 most significant persons in the school's first 100 years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Jones has served for many years as an active member of the National Silver Haired Congress, currently appointed by Congressman Phil Gingrey, and served for many years as an elected representative in the Georgia Silver Haired Legislature, currently serving as a consultant to elected officials on aging issues; and

WHEREAS, he is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness and, by the example of his life, he makes this world a better place to live, and it is only fitting and proper that he be appropriately recognized during Senior Week 2010.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body heartily commends Reverend Warren L. Jones for his unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to his community and state, extends to him its most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness, and invites him to be recognized by the House of Representatives at a date and time to be determined by the Speaker of the House.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Reverend Warren L. Jones.