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Senator Gail Davenport Provides Statement Following Hurricane Helene

ATLANTA (September 27, 2024) — On the evening of September 26 and into the early morning hours of September 27, Hurricane Helene moved northward through the State of Georgia. The storm delivered impacts to nearly all of Georgia’s 159 counties, including Senate District 44, which encompasses portions of Clayton County, south of Atlanta.

Sen. Gail Davenport (D–Jonesboro) spoke today regarding the impacts of Hurricane Helene: “This morning, Clayton County experienced flooding rain and strong winds from Hurricane Helene. I am currently working with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Clayton County leaders to assess the damage and begin moving forward. Please continue to listen to local officials and practice caution as conditions begin to improve.”

The entire State of Georgia remains under a State of Emergency through October 2. The order instructs all state resources to be made available to assist affected areas and charges the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for activating the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. Additional information regarding Hurricane Helene, including county-by-county local emergency management agency contact information, can be found on GEMA’s website. For regular updates, please follow GEMA on Instagram (@georgiaemahs), X (@georgiaemahs) and Facebook (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency).

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Sen. Gail Davenport represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of Clayton and DeKalb County.  She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5260 or by email at gail.davenport@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov

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Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes Shares Resources Following Hurricane Helene

ATLANTA (September 27, 2024) — On the evening of September 26 and into the early morning hours of September 27, Hurricane Helene moved northward through the State of Georgia. The storm delivered impacts to nearly all of Georgia’s 159 counties, including Senate District 7, which encompasses portions of Gwinnett County northeast of Atlanta.

Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth) spoke today regarding the impacts of Hurricane Helene, stating, “Early this morning, a powerful storm moved through our state and Gwinnett County. High winds and heavy rains throughout our community have caused widespread damage to trees, power lines and broken power poles. As of 11 a.m., I learned that over 10,000 people were without power across Gwinnett County. I am working around the clock with local officials and community leaders to share resources and want to extend my appreciation for state and local law enforcement.”

Sen. Islam Parkes went on to provide additional information for district residents. “Gwinnett residents are reminded to call the Gwinnett Local Emergency Management Agency at (770) 513-5600 to report damage. For non-damage-related inquiries, you may call 211 for assistance, or you can contact the Northeast Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross at (706) 353-1645. Please do not hesitate to directly contact my office at (404) 463-5263.”

The entire State of Georgia remains under a State of Emergency through October 2. The order instructs all state resources to be made available to assist affected areas and charges the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for activating the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. Additional information regarding Hurricane Helene, including county-by-county local emergency management agency contact information, can be found on GEMA’s website. For regular updates, please follow GEMA on Instagram (@georgiaemahs), X (@georgiaemahs) and Facebook (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency).

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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District, which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by email at NabilahIslamParkes@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov

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Sen. Larry Walker III Praises Governor Kemp for Improving Neighborhood Grant Awards

ATLANTA (May 23, 2023) | Last week, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he has made preliminary grant awards totaling more than $225 million for 142 qualified projects that improve neighborhood assets like parks, recreation facilities, sidewalks, and healthy food access in communities all across the state disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program funds will be allotted to local units of government, counties, and non-profits to utilize in improving or maintaining recreational facilities in Qualified Census Tracts or for repair or maintenance due to significantly greater use of public facilities during the pandemic.

“The Improving Neighborhood grants that are being awarded to our communities will have a positive impact on the health, safety, and wellbeing of families within the 20th Senate District,” said Senator Larry Walker III (R – Perry). “These funds will be used to update and modernize many recreational and outdoor spaces that Georgians utilize daily. I thank Governor Kemp and his staff for their support of these transformational projects that will provide Georgians of all ages with access to recreation and outdoor activity for generations to come.”

Funds awarded to the 20th State Senate District include:

  • City of Abbeville, Georgia with $1,813,772 for Abbeville Lions Memorial Park and pedestrian sidewalks.
  • City of Dublin, Georgia with $2,200,000 for the Oconee Gym Renovation Project.
  • City of Cochran, Georgia with $1,155,000 for theCochran North Ash Street Park Development Project.
  • Bleckley County Board of Commissioners with $1,094,500 for Cochran Bleckley Recreational Sports Complex improvements.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents Senate District 20 which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov  

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Senate President Pro Tempore Receives Georgia Historic Preservation Recognition

ATLANTA (May 2, 2023) | Last week, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation announced their 2023 class of preservation award honorees. Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) was awarded the 2023 Senator George Hooks Award for his efforts to maintain a high standard of historic preservation in the state of Georgia.

“It is an honor to be named as the recipient of this year’s award,” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “Rest assured that I will continue to ensure that Georgia’s legislative efforts are committed to our state’s historic preservation endeavors, community development, and economic growth. I appreciate the Georgia Trust for bestowing me with this award and look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

This award was given in response to Senator Kennedy’s efforts to save the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit, which was almost lost due to an impending sunset last year. These credits have become the basis for generating equity allowing more Georgians to participate in revitalization. Senator Kennedy worked to revise the previously-passed bill, and secured passage for the new bill that saved these credits.

According to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Senator George Hooks Award recognizes excellence in public leadership in Georgia. This award is given at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and is named in honor of Senator George Hooks, a strong supporter of the preservation of Georgia’s history and culture, who served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 years.

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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, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov