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HR 796

Victims of communism; honor

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johnny Chastain and 5 co-sponsors

Honors victims of communist regimes with a symbolic, nonbinding resolution that recognizes their suffering and raises public awareness, distributing the text publicly.

House Read and Adopted
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Bill Summary · HR 796

Summary — H.R. 796: "Victims of Communism; Honor" (House Resolution)

Purpose / Intent

H.R. 796 is an honorific resolution that recognizes and honors the victims of communist regimes worldwide. It declares the legislature’s acknowledgement of the human cost of communism — including denial of basic rights and widespread repression — and affirms solidarity with survivors and their descendants living in the state.

Key provisions

  • Recognizes the historical origins of 20th‑century communist regimes (referencing the Bolshevik Revolution) and names a number of leaders associated with oppressive communist governments (e.g., Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Ho Chi Minh, Hugo Chávez, Daniel Ortega, János Kádár, Wojciech Jaruzelski).
  • States that “more than 100 million people” have been victimized by communist regimes worldwide.
  • Condemns communist regimes for violations including denial of freedom of worship, speech, association, suppression of intellectual and cultural life, and obstruction of self‑determination movements.
  • Notes that the State of Georgia (as identified in the resolution text) is home to many victims and descendants who immigrated seeking freedom and opportunity.
  • Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies of the resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.

Who is affected

  • Primarily symbolic: victims of historic and contemporary communist regimes, their families and descendants, immigrant communities in the state, and members of the public.
  • No regulatory, funding, or programmatic changes are made; no state agencies are directed to take action beyond public distribution of the resolution text.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced: January 28, 2025.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (1/28/2025).
  • Subsequent actions: filed and placed on various calendars (Local & Consent; Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions).
  • Read and adopted by the House: May 23, 2025 (nonrecord vote noted; reported enrolled).
  • Classified as a resolution — ceremonial and declaratory in nature.

Sponsors / cosponsors (selected)

Primary sponsors listed include Mary E. Miller, Reynaldo Martinez, Matt Reeves, Sandy Donatucci, Johnny Chastain, Rob Clifton, and Steven Sainz. Additional cosponsors include Andrew S. Clyde, Daniel Webster, Gary J. Palmer, Claudia Tenney, Sheri Biggs, Andrew Ogles, Andy Harris, John W. Rose, Barry Moore, Brian Babin, and others.

Legal effect / impact

  • H.R. 796 is a non‑binding, commemorative resolution. It does not create legal rights, obligations, appropriations, or changes in public policy. Its impact is symbolic: public recognition, historical commemoration, and raising awareness about the human toll of communist regimes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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