Georgia Reads Day + Championing Literacy
Dayle and I have had a great time over the last couple of weeks meeting with friends and constituents across the state, from Statesboro to Atlanta. Last Friday, we had the opportunity to join over 460 students and community members for a memorial service honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, hosted by Georgia Southern University’s Turning Point USA chapter.
We were deeply moved by the outpouring of love and prayer for Charlie’s family, as well as the hope and optimism for our nation expressed by each of the students who shared their message. While we continue to reflect on Charlie’s memory in the days and weeks ahead, I hope each of us will reaffirm our commitment to our shared values of faith, truth, and patriotism.
Speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service hosted by Georgia Southern’s TPUSA Chapter
Pictured with Representative Lehman Franklin at the TPUSA memorial service for Charlie Kirk
Honorary Captains and Opioid Crisis Abatement Funding
As a proud alumnus of Georgia Southern University, I was excited to serve as an honorary captain alongside Senator Billy Hickman, Chairman Butch Parrish, and Representative Lehman Franklin at last week’s football game against the University of Maine.
We were also able to attend a ceremonial signing for a $3 million grant awarded to Georgia Southern by the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. These funds will support five projects designed to address recovery, training, and research to mitigate the impacts of the opioid crisis.
I look forward to seeing the positive impact these funds will have on families, individuals, and communities across the state impacted by the opioid addiction epidemic.
Serving as honorary captains with Chairman Butch Parrish, Senator Billy Hickman, Representative Lehman Franklin, and Miss International 2025 Madison Hicks
Dayle and I cheering on Georgia Southern with our granddaughters
Georgia Reads Day
Literacy is the foundation of our children’s success. That’s why strengthening access to quality education and streamlining literacy curriculum continues to be a top priority for us in the House.
Here in Georgia, we’re blessed to have strong partnerships with literacy champions and educational organizations that are committed to working alongside the General Assembly to ensure every child can read on level by the third grade. Each year, Georgia Reads partners with Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation to host hundreds of students at the College Football Hall of Fame for a fun-filled day of learning and encouragement.
This year, Dayle had an incredible opportunity to read ‘The Magician’s Hat’ to over 400 elementary school students and teach them about the importance of literacy for lifelong success.
Pictured with Representative Lydia Glaize, Dayle, Malcolm Mitchell, Chairman Chris Erwin, and Senator Billy Hickman at Georgia Reads Day
My Best,
Speaker Jon Burns