Category: John F. Kennedy

ATLANTA (October 13, 2023) |Today, Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) released the following statement in response to the senseless murder of Israeli civilians, including children, and American citizens by Hamas terrorists.

“I am deeply compelled to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, marked by the needless and reprehensible acts of violence carried out by Hamas. I unequivocally condemn these actions, which have devastated lives, threatened regional stability and violated the fundamental principles of peace and security. Every rocket Hamas fires continues to underscore a blatant disregard for human life.

My deepest sympathies and unyielding support are with Israeli families affected by Hamas’ attack. I offer my prayers for healing and strength to the bereaved families and for their continued courage in the face of the destructive impact of Hamas’ terrorist actions.

I am especially relieved and grateful for the safe return of Georgia State Senator Russ Goodman (R – Cogdell) and his mother. Their visit to the Holy Land, unfortunately, coincided with the senseless attacks by Hamas on Israel. Their safety and well-being have been of utmost concern and their return home is a moment of collective relief. This incident is a stark reminder of the grim realities of life throughout the region and the urgent need for peace and security. Regrettably, not all Americans have managed to leave the area.

Israel, a steadfast ally of the United States and friend to the State of Georgia, has every right to defend its citizens and ensure their safety and security. It is not just an obligation, but a moral imperative. I recognize the threats Israel faces and stand firmly with them in confronting terrorism and the extremist ideologies fueling such terrorism.

In this trying moment, the unity of all of our elected officials is paramount. We as leaders must affirm our unwavering support for the people and Nation of Israel. It is a testament to our shared values, mutual commitments and common objectives. In the spirit of democracy and global security, I urge elected officials to stand together against the forces of terrorism and extremism.”

The United States State Department provides resources to Georgians and others seeking assistance and information.

1. U.S. citizens in need of support can reach out to the U.S. Embassy in Israel via the online form at https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake or by calling 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.
2. The latest updates and advisories are available on the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s website at https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/.

Additionally, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/ ensures that U.S. citizens receive timely information and support while in Israel.

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18^th 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

ATLANTA (August 8, 2023) | Just in time for the “back-to-school” season, the Georgia Department of Education allocated $2.5 million during their June meeting for the expansion of the Leader in Me model under the Amended FY2023 Budget. As part of this initiative, instructional materials will be delivered to 11 school districts and 28 schools across the state in preparation for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Middle Georgia has set a remarkable example in improving children’s lives and outcomes through this educational content,” said President Pro Tempore Senator John F. Kennedy (R – Macon). “I cannot express how appreciative and excited I am for the Leader in Me model to expand across our state. During the 2023 Legislative Session, our team worked closely with both Macon’s Business Education Partnership and representatives from FranklinCovey Education to secure the necessary resources for statewide expansion. With these additional funds, the Leader in Me model will continue to empower students across Georgia, instilling in them the leadership skills and principles that will shape their future success. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Chairman Rep. Robert Dickey (R – Musella), Georgia Board of Education Chairman Jason Downey, House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Matt Hatchett (R – Dublin) and Senate Committee on Appropriations Chairman Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) for their support in securing this funding.”

“I am delighted to see Middle Georgia leading the way in our children’s education” said Rep. Dickey. “What our community experienced in Bibb County was no accident. The success of this program was a direct result of public and private partners coming together to improve educational outcomes in our community. I am excited to see this funding go towards expanding these opportunities for Georgia’s children around the state. I want to extend a sincere thank you to House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett, Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery and President Pro-Tempore Kennedy for their support of this initiative.”

Sean Covey, President of FranklinCovey Education, said, “It’s been our honor to work with the Georgia Department of Education and the General Assembly to bring Leader in Me to schools throughout the State. We now look forward to partnering closely with these districts to bring the Leader in Me to their students to help them to build the leadership and life skills they need to thrive, adapt and contribute in today’s ever-changing world.”

Leader in Me is an evidence-based Pre-K-12 model, developed in partnership with educators, designed to build resilience and leadership in students, create a high-trust school culture, and help improve academic achievement.

The student-centric model aims to foster leadership skills, character development, and personal growth in students and is implemented in schools to empower students with the necessary tools to thrive academically and in their personal lives. It is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and goal-setting skills. Students learn to take responsibility for their actions, set and work towards personal and academic goals, and develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-efficacy.

Now in more than 7,000 schools throughout the world, Leader in Me continues to have a significant, measurable impact in schools and in the lives of millions of students, parents, teachers and administrators.”

The model’s success in Macon-Bibb County began during the 2015-2016 school year when Macon’s Business Education Partnership raised funds to implement Leader in Me in two pilot schools. The positive outcomes and transformative impact led to its expansion countywide in 2018.

You can find out more 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 18^th 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

Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He represents Senate District 19, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler Counties and a portion of Coffee County. He can be reached at 404.656.5038 or by email at blake.tillery@senate.ga.gov