Upper chamber report 2009 February 2

TOP STORY
Women's Heart Disease Awareness, Honoring Local WWII Veteran Focus of Senate Day 10

FEBRUARY 2, 2009 -- DAY 11
Upper Chamber Report

Raegan Weber, Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief

By Matt Colvin
ATLANTA (January 30, 2009) The Georgia State Senate convened for Legislative Day 10 at the end of a full week of standing committee meetings and appropriations subcommittee hearings. With no bills or resolutions on the general calendar for the day, the Senate took time to adopt a number of privileged resolutions honoring a wide range of individuals and groups from Senators' local districts. But the focus of the day was one Senator taking time to promote women's heart disease awareness and another honoring a local World War II veteran and his family at the chamber well.

Inside this issue:

Women's Heart Dis-

1

ease Awareness, Hon-

oring Local WWII

Veteran Focus of Sen-

ate Day 10

Sen. Pearson Honors

2

Distinguished War

Veteran

Mullis Leads Most

2

Sweeping Form of

Transportation Legisla-

tion in Georgia History

Georgia Women Legis- 3 lators Join Pearl of Wisdom Campaign

Legislative Process

4

Senator Horacena Tate (D Atlanta) took the floor during the daily Points of Personal Privilege to promote "Go Red for Women" day taking place Friday, February 6th at the Capitol to raise awareness for women's heart disease in Georgia. Senator Tate, who suffered a heart attack during a previous session, noted that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in Georgia and in the nation and urged her fellow Senators to show their support of the Go Red for Women campaign by wearing red ties or dresses this coming Friday, February 6th. Senator Tate is committed to helping raise awareness and prevention of women's heart disease and stroke in Georgia.
Go Red for Women is a national campaign started by the American Heart Association to raise awareness and prevention for heart disease and stroke in women. Their near-term goal is a 25% reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke

risk by 2010. Go Red for Women has chosen Fri-
day, February 6th as their National Wear Red Day and urging companies, associations, and groups to pledge to wear red in support of their goal of increased awareness.
For more information on Go Red for Women and National Wear Red Day, please visit goredforwomen.org.
Senator Chip Pearson (R Dawsonville) invited all Senators who spent time serving in the military to the well to help him in honoring World War II veteran Dr. Joseph Lazzarini with a Senate Resolution officially commending him for his 20 years of military service. Dr. Lazzarini served in the Army during World War II, as well as the Navy and the Air Force.
The Senate stood at ease until 5pm Friday, then adjourned until 1pm on Monday February, 2nd for Legislative Day 11.

Senator Pearson Honors Distinguished Georgia War Veteran in Senate Chamber
By Kallarin Richards
ATLANTA (January 30, 2009) -- The State Senate paused today during its daily business to honor an exceptional Georgian who has dedicated his life to serving his country. Sen. Chip Pearson (RDawsonville) presented Dr. Joseph Lazzarini with a Senate Resolution officially commending him for his 20 years of military service, in which he served in the Army during World War II, as well as the Navy and the Air Force.
"I am humbled by the dedication and selflessness Dr. Lazzarini exemplified throughout his career with the United State military," said Sen. Pearson. "Today we honor a man who has continued to give back to his country and community even after his military service ended. Our country owes a great debt to his generation of brave servicemen and they must not be forgotten."
Dr. Lazzarini, originally from Puerto Rico, volunteered for service in the U.S. Army at 19 years old, where he was eventually named a corporal. After working on a premedical degree, Dr. Lazzarini returned to service in the Naval Reserve, the Merchant Marines, and the Military Sea Transport Service. That led him to the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the rank of airman first class.

While stationed in Spain, Dr. Lazzarini graduated from the University of Madrid's School of Medicine. He used his education to serve as a military doctor in the U.S. Army, which ultimately brought him to Georgia where he served as a lieutenant colonel and chief of radiology at Fort Gordon in Augusta. He was then promoted to colonel and went on to serve as chief of radiology at Fort Stewart, which took him to Germany, Italy, and Texas, before he chose to return to Georgia upon his retirement.

Dr. Lazzarini, who celebrated his 83rd Sen. Pearson honors Dr. Joseph Lazzarini at the

birthday in December, continues to Senate rostrum, a 20 year war veteran who served give back to his community by found- the U.S. military in both combat and as a doctor and

ing the Caring Hands Clinic in down- radiologist.

town Atlanta to provide free medical

services to those without insurance. He is also an active member of the Knights of "I am proud to also recognize Dr. Lazza-

Columbus, the Georgia Mountain chapter of rini's son, Edward, who followed in his the Military Officers Association of Amer- father's footsteps by choosing a career in

ica, the Disabled American Veterans Na- the military and is being deployed to Af-

tional Service Foundation, and the Radiol- ghanistan," added Sen. Pearson. "The Laz-

ogy Society of America, among others.

zarinis are a brave military family, and on behalf of the Senate and the State of Geor-

gia, I thank them for their service to this

Dr. Lazzarini's son, Edward, joined his country."

father for this special recognition. Edward

has also chosen a life of public service in

the military, and will soon be deployed to For more information on the Georgia State Afghanistan. This will be his third deploy- Senate or to view Senate Resolution 103,

ment overseas, having already served in please visit www.senate.ga.gov.

Kuwait and Iraq.

Mullis Leads the Most Sweeping form of Transportation Legisla-
tion in Georgia History
By Raegan Weber
ATLANTA (January 30, 2009)-- Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis (R- Chickamauga) is leading the effort to get Senate Bill 39 and Senate Resolution 44, the Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) bills, passed through the chamber quickly. The legislation unanimously passed through the Senate Transportation Committee this week and legislators are optimistic it will go to the Senate Floor for a full vote on Tuesday, February 3.
"There is over $185 billion dollars of private investment waiting to be used for public transportation. Georgia should not be left behind while other states move ahead," said

Mullis, "This bill has come together as a bipartisan effort to address the transportation needs in the state of Georgia." Mullis went on to add that the TSPLOST is not about monetary gain. In rural communities the bill would help to stimulate economic development. For Atlanta and urban areas it is intended to help alleviate congestion.
The TSPLOST bill is the most sweeping form of transportation legislation in Georgia history. It provides for a one percent sales tax to be used to fund transportation projects in special transportation districts within the state. TSPLOST would generate up to $850 million in funding each year for the metroAtlanta area, and up to $1.2 billion for the entire state. It provides greater choice and flexibility at the county level so that local areas can decide what transportation projects need funding the most. Should the bill pass in the legislature, a Constitutional Amendment will be on the November 2010 ballot for Georgians to vote.

Many senators back the bill saying it's exactly what Georgia needs for long-term transportation and economic growth.
"As the economic engine of our state, it is critical that we get metro Atlanta out of our transportation crisis. Traffic stifles economic growth to our entire state. Voters in Atlanta are anxious to have an opportunity to decide whether or not they want to take a step forward to relieve congestion. And businesses need to see a clear message that Georgia is serious about addressing our transportation issues," said Mullis. "This is a major step forward in the funding process so we can clear the gridlock on our roads."
For more information on TSPLOST, go to www.legis.ga.gov and do a legislative search on SB39.

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Georgia Women Legislators Join Global Pearl of WisdomTM Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer
Coalition Promotes Pearl of Wisdom as Worldwide Symbol of Cervical Cancer Prevention

Marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in January, Georgia women legislators have joined a coalition of women's health and advocacy organizations in the United States and Europe in a new, united effort to prevent cervical cancer worldwide.
The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer (www.PearlofWisdom.us) will raise awareness of cervical cancer, encourage women to take advantage of the means that are now available to prevent it, and work to make sure that these methods are accessible to girls and women around the globe particularly to the underserved populations that have much higher rates of cervical cancer. A central focus of the campaign is the promotion of the Pearl of Wisdom as the global symbol of cervical cancer prevention, designed to help all groups involved unite behind a core set of messages.

Stone Mountain).
"The Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force worked diligently to craft three solid recommendations on education, screening and immunization to prevent cervical cancer," said Sen. Thomas.
The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer was started by the European
Cervical Cancer Association, or ECCA (www.ecca.info), which includes 100 organizations from across Europe. Sen. Orrock presented a report on cervical cancer efforts in the U.S. at a European-wide meeting of Politicians for Cervical Cancer Prevention at the European Union Parliament in Brussels on January 22, 2009.

"Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women around the world, killing nearly 300,000 women worldwide each year," said Senator Nan Grogan Orrock (D-Atlanta), member of the Women in Government Board of Trustees. "In Georgia, there are 400 deaths of women annually from cervical cancer. However, this disease is almost completely preventable. Research has established that cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), whose presence is seen in 99.7 percent of all cervical cancers. Almost every case of cervical cancer is now preventable through organized screening with Pap tests, HPV tests and immunization programs with HPV vaccines."
Georgia women legislators are presenting the recommendations of the Final Report of the 2006 Georgia Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force to the Women's Caucus to announce the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign and highlight the needs here in Georgia for broader education, screening, treatment, and immunization. Legislation to accomplish these goals is under consideration by the Women's Caucus. Members of the Task Force chaired by Sen. Don Thomas (RDalton) include Sen. Renee Unterman (RBuford), Representative Cicely Hill (RKingsland) and Rep. Michele Henson (D-

U.S. partners in the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign include the American Medical Women's Association, the American Social Health Association, the Balm in Gilead, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Global Summit of Women, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the National Council of Women's Organizations, the Society for Women's Health Research, Tamika and Friends, Women In Government, The Yellow Umbrella Organization, and others.
Pearl of Wisdom pins are available at www.PearlofWisdom.us for $6.95 each and are also available in bulk. Proceeds will go to the U.S. Pearl of Wisdom Campaign Fund, dedicated to the support of U.S.-based cervical cancer prevention activities. Visitors can also send "virtual" Pearls of Wisdom to the women in their lives through the website.
"The prevention of cervical cancer is now a realizable goal and the Pearl of Wisdom is the ideal symbol to spread this powerful message. It is my hope that women around the world, indeed everyone, takes this symbol to heart and supports our united campaign to ultimately eliminate cervical cancer," said Sen. Unterman. Sen. Unterman, a registered nurse, has led efforts to address cervical cancer in Georgia for several years.

Rep. Barbara Reece (D-Menlo), "We've all shared the hope of curing cancer. Thanks to recent breakthroughs, we now have the means to eliminate cervical cancer with widespread education and immunization.
There is cause now for new hope for women here in Georgia and around the world."
"I have seen the tragic loss of life in my own family as a result of this cancer," said Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah). "No effort is too great to spare families the loss of loved ones. Eradicating cervical cancer is a worthy goal and we are totally committed to working with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and our Georgia public health officials and healthcare providers toward this goal."
About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. In the U.S., the American Cancer society estimates that 11,070 women will have been diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,870 women will have died of the disease in 2008. Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection that three of four adults will have at some time in their lives. Most of these infections go away on their own without treatment. Infections that do not go away on their own can lead to cervical cancer.
A Pap test is the traditional method used for cervical cancer screening. An HPV test identifies women who are infected with high-risk types of HPV that could potentially lead to cervical cancer. Clinical studies suggest that screening with both a Pap test and an HPV test offers women aged 30 and older the best protection against cervical cancer. An HPV vaccine is now FDAapproved for girls and young women ages 9-26. It has been shown to be 100 percent effective in women not previously infected at preventing infection with the two types of HPV that cause approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers. HPV vaccination does not protect against all the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer, however, meaning that women who have been vaccinated still need to be screened to protect against the HPV types that are not covered by the vaccine.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Legislative Process Dates
Important Dates in the Legislative Process
Introduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day.
Deadlines for passage in current year
Committee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14]

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT