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State House pays tribute to Gwinnett’s heroes

March 25, 2005

On Thursday, it was indeed an honor and privilege for me to introduce to my colleagues in the House of Representatives my fellow residents of Gwinnett County who distinguished themselves with their heroic actions in the hours following the tragic events in Atlanta on March 11.

Ashley Smith is not only my constituent in the 96th House District, but I am also proud to call her my neighbor. Ashley’s brave actions led directly to the apprehension of the accused perpetrator of the horrible events that day at the Fulton County Courthouse and later that evening in Buckhead. Her story of how her faith in God carried her through this experience is an inspiration to us all.

Likewise, it was the Gwinnett County Police Department’s swift and professional effort, in response to Ashley’s 911 call, that peacefully resolved this crisis. I want to express my appreciation to Chief Charles Walters and the entire department for all they do to keep our community safe.

On Thursday, the entire House of Representatives gave Ashley and the Gwinnett Police officers a lengthy standing ovation after adopting resolutions honoring them for their efforts. It was my pleasure to introduced these resolutions, and I thank House Speaker Glenn Richardson, Minority Leader DuBose Porter and all of my colleagues for making Ashley Smith and the Gwinnett Police Department feel welcome and appreciated during their visit to the Capitol.

The House of Representatives voted this week to implement a statewide smoking ban in most public buildings. Senate Bill 90, as amended by the House, would prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, including restaurants where minors are served.

Health officials and organizations such as the American Cancer Society have pushed for this legislation for years because of the proven harmful effects of secondhand smoke in our society. A growing number of municipalities and counties in Georgia have already banned smoking in public buildings, so the restaurant industry supported this measure to bring uniformity to the laws in our state.

House members passed numerous changes to the Senate bill, including an exemption for bars and restaurants that neither serve nor employ anyone younger than 18. If the Senate does not agree to these changes, the bill will go to conference committee to resolve the differences.

The House also approved Senate Bill 190, with substantial changes. This legislation would limit the time that legal appeals can delay work on landfills, power plants and other facilities requiring environmental permits. As originally passed by the Senate, the bill would have limited the “stay” from 30 to 90 days.

But under a compromise worked out between supporters and opponents of the bill in the House, neighbors and environmental groups would have more time to gather evidence against an unwanted facility. Construction could be delayed up to 150 days. The bill now gives businesses and local governments more certainty about when they can start their projects, as well as giving opponents time to state their cases against the developments. The bill now goes to a conference committee for consideration.

House members unanimously approved legislation that authorizes local government agencies to exchange national criminal history background checks on providers of care to children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Senate Bill 6 does not mandate that agencies conduct these background checks but makes it possible for them to do so. For example, a local recreation authority could run criminal background checks on those desiring to coach in youth sports leagues.

No more than three days remain in the 2005 session. Budget negotiators are busy putting the finishing touches on the fiscal year 2006 budget, and the final pieces of legislation for this year will be handled in the coming days.

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State Representative Pedro Marin
Georgia Gwinnett District 96

Capitol
611 Coverdell Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404.656.0314
Fax: 404.651.5585

Email: marinstatehouse@aol.com

Pedro Marin © 2010

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