Celebrating Fathers
Friends,
Being a father to my children has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.Over this past Father’s Day, I hope like me you had the opportunity to recognize and remember the fathers and father figures in your life.
At the same time, I know that there are some in our communities with fathers who have not always taken their role seriously, but have made the decision to seek to be a part of their child’s life later.
That’s why I was proud to see the Governor sign HB 460 recently. This legislation, passed unanimously by the House and the Senate in our most recent session, guarantees that children have the right to legal representation in court when legal proceedings are underway to establish a biological father’s parental rights for a child born to unmarried parents.
Of course, while legislative efforts are important in encouraging men to take an active role in the lives of children, community efforts are just as important. That’s why I am so proud of the organizations in our community that provide a way for men to serve as a role model in the lives of children.
Some men may choose to serve as foster parents, stepping in to care for children when their biological parents are unable to - a process you can learn more about from the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services at www.fostergeorgia.com.
Others may choose to become involved in programs like the YMCA and others that provide programming for youth in our communities after school and year round, which you can learn more about at www.ymcaofcoastalga.org/volunteer-opportunities.
Still other men simply remember that they can be a positive role model as they go about their lives caring for their children. Whether teaching Sunday school, coaching their children’s teams, or finding other opportunities to be involved with their children, I hope that men will realize that even the smallest positive interaction with a child can have a lasting impact on him or her.
As we celebrate our fathers and the fathers in our communities today and everyday, I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact legislation that strengthens the family in Georgia. I also hope that you will continue to be involved in efforts to strengthen families in the 159th District every day through the type of neighbor to neighbor community building that doesn’t require legislation.
In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about my work as your Representative or as Speaker of the House, or with information about events in the community. You can contact me at 404.656.5020, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA. If you wish to sign up for my weekly emailed newsletter, visit https://www.friendsofjonburns.com/home to sign up.