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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Announces Expansion of Leader In Me Program

ATLANTA (May 15, 2024) — The Georgia Board of Education voted unanimously to allocate an initial $3.4 million in funding, directed by the General Assembly, to expand the Leader In Me program to an additional 120 schools across the state. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Georgia’s ongoing efforts to empower students with essential leadership and life skills.

Beginning in 2023, the General Assembly partnered with the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) to establish a curriculum development pilot program in 11 school districts and 28 schools statewide. The Leader in Me program promotes the development of necessary leadership skills inside and outside the classroom.

Sen. John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), celebrated the program’s expansion, remarking, “I commend Superintendent Woods and members of the Georgia Board of Education for their dedication to student success. Beginning in 2015, I witnessed the tangible impact of this program in Bibb County and was proud to champion an expansion of the pilot program last year.  This year, I am thrilled to announce that we have doubled down on our commitment to improve educational outcomes for over 84,000 students with this initial round of funding. This partnership and program exemplify our commitment to fostering a learning environment that is centered around student success.”

“Integrity and good character are some of the most important qualities a person can have to become a great leader,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “I want to thank President Pro Tem Kennedy for his continued focus on providing resources for character education programs that provide our students with these leadership skills, which will serve them well for the rest of their lives.”

The expansion of the Leader in Me program represents not only a strategic investment in Georgia’s educational future, but also a testament to the collaborative efforts of state leaders, educators and community stakeholders in educating the next generation of leaders.

You can find more information about Leader In Me here.

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Support Georgia Military Families

ATLANTA (April 25, 2024) — This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law House Bill 880, legislation that significantly enhances opportunities for military spouses joining Georgia’s workforce. Authored by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins), HB 880 marks a monumental step towards easing the transition for military families assigned to one of Georgia’s premier military installations.

Sen. John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) proudly supported HB 880, emphasizing its critical role in empowering military spouses to utilize existing occupational licenses from other states when seeking employment in Georgia. This legislation aims to address the many employment challenges faced by military families when they receive orders to relocate to Georgia. By cutting red tape, the previsions inside of HB 880 will ensure a smooth transition for military spouses to enter Georgia’s workforce.

“Georgia’s military spouses make tremendous sacrifices for our nation, and it’s imperative that we support them in every way possible,” Sen. Kennedy remarked. “HB 880 not only accelerates their integration into the workforce, but also underscores our commitment to their professional and financial stability.”

“In collaboration with the leadership of Robins Air Force Base, the Georgia Chamber, and the United States Department of Defense, HB 880 was crafted to prioritize the needs of military families,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s important to highlight the pivotal role and impact military installations have on many communities around our state. I witnessed this firsthand by working alongside base leadership at Houston County’s own Robins Air Force Base.”

“I want to offer my most sincere praise and gratitude to Rep. Bethany Ballard for her tireless support of this legislation.  From the beginning Rep. Ballard, Chairman Larry Walker (R–Perry) and I worked together to craft a streamlined process that will impact roughly 70,000 active-duty personnel and approximately 24,965 active-duty spouses currently on assignment at any of Georgia’s 10 military installations.”

“It is my hope that HB 880 will minimize burdensome delays for military spouses entering the workforce, thereby strengthening our military communities and honoring the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. I applaud Gov. Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly for their support of this much needed legislation,” concluded Sen. Kennedy.

You can find more information about HB 880 here.

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Majority Caucus to Hold Press Conference Announcing 2024 Legislative Priorities

ATLANTA (January 26, 2024) — On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., the Georgia Senate Majority Caucus will hold a press conference to announce  their 2024 legislative priorities.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: South Steps of the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St, Atlanta GA 30334

ABOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE:         

The press conference will include remarks from Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), and Senate President Pro-Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) on the 2024 Majority Caucus priorities.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request members of the media to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Emily Leonard at the Senate Press Office (Emily.Leonard@senate.ga.gov).

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

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President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Applauds Final Passage of Legislation to Combat Antisemitism

ATLANTA (January 25, 2024) — On Thursday Jan. 25, House Bill 30 received final passage by substitute through the Georgia General Assembly during the 2024 Legislative Session. Sponsored by Rep. John Carson (R–Marietta) and carried through the Senate by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), this significant legislation addresses the escalating issue of antisemitism in Georgia.

The bill, which received support from both sides of the aisle, is poised to make a substantial impact on combating antisemitic acts and harassment within the state. Sen. Kennedy, who served as the author to the bill’s substitute, commented, “This is a meaningful and effective bill that provides a guide to the government as to what antisemitism looks like. This bill sends a message to bad actors that, when committing an already illegal act discriminating against the Jewish community in Georgia, the state is equipped to discern and address this form of discrimination effectively. I appreciate Lt. Governor Burt Jones for prioritizing this legislation and look forward to seeing HB 30 signed into law in the coming months.”

“I applaud President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy and the Senate for Passing HB 30,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Antisemitic speech and hate will not be tolerated in Georgia. Today and every day, we stand with Georgia’s and our nation’s Jewish Community.”

Georgia has witnessed a concerning rise in antisemitic incidents, with citizens facing harassment and discrimination based on their religious identity, as well as their perceived national original and race. The substitute introduced by Sen. Kennedy requires government agencies to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when enforcing anti-discrimination policies. The latest push to pass this legislation comes in response to incidents like the hanging of an effigy at a local synagogue in Macon, where congregation members fear attending services due to such acts of hate. Moreover, the substitute outlines the government’s duties, requiring state agencies to consider the IHRA definition when determining sentencing enhancements related to hate crimes. The legislation respects existing criminal procedure and the adjudicatory process.

This measure has now been sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature. You can find more information on HB 30 here.

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

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Georgia Senate Leaders Affirm their Commitment to Prosecuting Attorneys Commission

ATLANTA (Jan. 2, 2024) — Today, Senator Randy Robertson (District 29 – Cataula) and Senator John F. Kennedy (District 18 – Macon) pre-filed legislation to address the Georgia Supreme Court’s November 22, 2023 finding that approving the standards of conduct for the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC) is outside the Court’s authority. The new legislation is consistent with many state commissions and will allow the PAQC to adopt its internal guidelines and rules. This simple remedy will allow the Commission to commence its important work.

“We have seen theatrics take hold in Georgia over the safety and welfare of our communities as some prosecutors promise ‘reform’ and then deliver nothing but ineffectiveness and blatant disregard of the law,” stated Senator Robertson, the chief sponsor of SB 92. “Most of the state’s prosecutors follow the law, adhere to their duties, and their communities remain safe and prosperous, and those individuals should be celebrated. On the other hand, you have a few rogue prosecutors that refuse to prosecute violent criminals, lead defunct and understaffed offices, and impose blanket policies for non-prosecution of crimes.”

The PAQC was created after the enactment of Senate Bill 92, which was signed into law by Governor Kemp on May 5, 2023. Modeled after the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which enforces standards of conduct for the state’s judiciary, SB 92 was the culmination of years of work to address the duties that prosecutors are required to carry out under state law.

“My concerns have been and always will be the safety of our communities and justice for victims of crime,” said Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing the exact opposite in jurisdictions across the state, resulting in unmanageable backlogs in our court system, delayed justice for victims, mismanagement of criminal records, and a perversion of the doctrine of ‘prosecutorial discretion.’ These are dangerous practices in misconduct and must stop.”

The President Pro Tempore added: “I respect the Supreme Court’s narrow opinion on this specific issue and appreciate the limits of their authority. We recognize the important role that prosecutors play in our communities and, by prefiling this bill, affirm our intent to hold rogue prosecutors accountable. We believe this bill reinforces the need for Georgia prosecutors to focus on achieving results in the courtroom, not legislating from the desk to appease fringe constituencies.”

Article IV, Section VIII of the state Constitution states that prosecutors can be “disciplined, removed or involuntarily retired as provided by general law,” and further lays out the minimum duties for prosecutors while adding that they must “perform such other duties as shall be required by law.” Among their various duties required by law, prosecutors must review cases and make a prosecutorial decision based on the individual case. Additionally, prosecutors must update criminal records based on their charging decisions, as well as assist victims and witnesses of crime. The PAQC specializes in understanding these duties, guiding prosecutors’ performance of these duties, and disciplining prosecutors who fail to carry out such duties. A full list of a prosecutor’s duties can be found at O.C.G.A. § 15-18-6 and O.C.G.A. § 15-18-66.

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Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 29th Senate District which includes Meriwether and Harris County, and Troup County as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at 404.656.0045 or by email at randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.