Georgia-2011-HR1703-Introduced

By: Representatives Beasley-Teague of the 65th, Kendrick of the 94th, Dickerson of the 95th, Jones of the 44th, Dawkins-Haigler of the 93rd, and others

Recognizing and commending Representative Sharon Cooper; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Representative Sharon Cooper was elected in 1996 to the House of Representatives and is currently serving her seventh term for District 41; and

WHEREAS, proud to call Georgia home for over 38 years, Representative Cooper has earned several degrees, including a bachelor's degree in child development, a master's degree in education and a Master of Science in Nursing degree; and

WHEREAS, she was elected caucus chairperson by her colleagues in 2002, majority caucus chairperson in 2004, making her the highest ranking woman in the Georgia House, and caucus chair emeritus in 2007; and

WHEREAS, she has been honored numerous times, including being chosen as legislator of the year by the Georgia Republican Party in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Representative Cooper is chair of the House Committee on Health and Human Services and a member of the Judiciary Non-Civil, Regulated Industries, and Rules committees; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the first class of the Coverdell Leadership Institute, Representative Cooper was able to pass a major revision of the state's stalking law while still in her freshman term, was appointed to the President's 30 member National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women by A.G. Ashcroft in 2002, and was credited as being the major catalyst behind the creation of Cobb County Police Department's Domestic Violence Unit in 2006; and

WHEREAS, she has written two textbooks on psychiatric nursing and authored Taxpayer's Tea Party in 1994; and
WHEREAS, she continues to author and foster legislation that promotes improved health care for Georgians, such as the HIV Screening Bill for Pregnant Women, the Georgia Smokefree Air Act, and the "Health Share" Volunteers in Medicine Act; and

WHEREAS, Representative Cooper has earned the reputation of being one of the hardest working legislators at the capitol as well as being honest, straightforward, and committed; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the accomplishments of this distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Representative Sharon Cooper for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated service to the State of Georgia and extend to her their most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.

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 Representative Sharon Cooper.