Summary — House Resolution 582 (HR 582)
Title: Congratulating and commending Maritza Morelli for receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award
Status: House — Read and Adopted
Introduced: January 21, 2025
Reported enrolled: April 1, 2025
Adopted: March 31, 2025 (laid before the House March 31; read and adopted earlier March 11 per House record)
Purpose and intent
This is an honorary House resolution that formally congratulates and commends Maritza Morelli for receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award. The resolution recognizes Morelli’s leadership and community service—particularly her work with Atlanta’s Latino children and families—and requests that an official copy of the resolution be made available to her.
Key provisions
- Formally congratulates and commends Maritza Morelli on receiving the 2025 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award.
- Recites Morelli’s accomplishments and the history/intent of the award (named for Representative Nikki T. Randall).
- Notes Morelli’s role as executive director and co‑founder of Los Niños Primero, including program milestones and recognitions.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Maritza Morelli.
There are no authorization, appropriation, or regulatory provisions — the resolution is purely commemorative.
Background (as stated in the resolution)
- The award honors the leadership and inspiration embodied by former Representative Nikki T. Randall, the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly from middle Georgia (first elected 1999) and long‑time leader of the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus.
- Maritza Morelli, originally from Venezuela, co‑founded Los Niños Primero in 2001 (with support from Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church). Under her leadership, the organization has served more than 6,200 Latino children, youth, and families through culturally responsive education, community engagement, and leadership development programs.
- Morelli’s recognitions cited in the resolution include a Congressional Honor from Rep. Lucy McBath (2022) and being named among Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latino Leaders by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Who is affected / impact
- Primary subject: Maritza Morelli — receives formal statewide recognition.
- Associated organization: Los Niños Primero — receives public acknowledgement of its impact.
- Institutional effect: symbolic recognition only; no change to law, policy, or state funding.
Sponsors and supporters
Filed by Representatives Shea Roberts (52nd), Esther Panitch (51st), Karen Lupton (83rd), Betsy Holland (54th), and Deborah Silcox (53rd) (as listed on the resolution). The resolution is placed and adopted through the House’s local/consent and congratulatory processes.
Procedural notes / timeline
- Introduced: January 21, 2025
- Placed on Local & Consent Calendars / Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar in March 2025
- Read and adopted by the House in March 2025
- Reported enrolled: April 1, 2025
This resolution is ceremonial and intended to recognize civic leadership and community service rather than to create legal or budgetary obligations.
