Veterans Day + Education Initiatives
It’s been a great week for our House members and citizens across the state as we celebrate last week’s victories and look forward to what’s ahead in 2025. Thank you all for your friendship and support as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session and continue our work to keep Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Veterans Day
On Monday, I attended Effingham County’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony with Attorney General Chris Carr and Representative Bill Hitchens.
On Veterans Day and every day, we’re grateful for the heroes who fought to defend the freedom we hold dear. May God continue to bless them, the great state of Georgia, and these United States.
Honoring our veterans in Effingham County with Attorney General Chris Carr, Representative Bill Hitchens, and Tommy Allen
At the Effingham County Veterans Day Ceremony with Tom Kilmartin and his Grandson Owen
Caucus Elections
On Tuesday morning, the House Republican Caucus gathered at the Capitol to elect our leadership for the next biennial legislative session.
I was honored to be renominated by my colleagues to serve a second term as Speaker of the House. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering trust and support of our caucus. As I reflect on all that we’ve achieved together, I’m more confident than ever that we will continue to deliver meaningful results—whether it's passing historic tax cuts, investing in education, expanding access to healthcare, or making our communities safer.
Representative Jan Jones of Milton was also renominated to serve as House Speaker Pro Tempore.
Other leadership positions within our caucus will remain the same with Representative Chuck Efstration of Dacula serving as Majority Leader, Representative James Burchett of Waycross will remain Majority Whip, Representative Houston Gaines of Athens will remain Vice Chair and Representative Bruce Williamson of Monroe will remain Caucus Chair. Representative Ginny Ehrhart of Powder Springs will continue serving as Secretary/Treasurer of the caucus.
I am looking forward to working alongside this great group of leaders to continue strengthening our majority and making our state a better place for every Georgian.
Pictured with our 2025-2026 House Majority Caucus leadership—Vice President Houston Gaines, Secretary/Treasurer Ginny Ehrhart, Chairman Bruce Williamson, Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones, Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, and Majority Whip James Burchett
Augusta University Literacy Center Tour
Earlier this week, Dayle and I had the opportunity to visit our friends at Augusta University to hear about the work their Literacy Center is doing to champion early literacy and to discuss our efforts in the House to create better educational outcomes for students in every corner of the state.
The House has prioritized measures to boost literacy rates at every turn, and we’re excited about the initiatives our education partners are developing to support our teachers and students.
Thank you to Augusta University President Russel Keen, Karen Keen, and Margie Miller for the invitation.
Touring Augusta University’s Literacy Center with President Russell Keen, Karen Keen, Representative Mark Newton, and members of the Augusta University Staff
Learning more about the education initiatives being championed by Augusta University’s Literacy Center
Ogeechee Tech Groundbreaking
Thursday morning, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Ogeechee Technical College’s new Georgia Industrial Systems & Robotics Training Center. The House was proud to support this project by providing funding for the new facility in the FY23 Amended Budget.
We’re looking forward to continuing to support programs like the GISIRTC that bolster Georgia’s workforce and ensure our citizens and students are prepared for the opportunities coming to our state.
Thank you to Ogeechee Technical College President Lori Durden and Commissioner Greg Dozier for the invitation, and to all of the forward-thinking leaders who made this world-class facility a reality for the state of Georgia.
Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Georgia Industrial Systems & Robotics Training Center
Veto, The Governor’s Cat Book Signing
Dayle and I had the privilege of attending former Governor Nathan Deal’s book signing ceremony for his first children’s book, Veto, The Governor’s Cat.
Governor Deal wrote the book as a tribute to his late wife, Sandra Deal, who championed literacy and early childhood education while she was a teacher and throughout her tenure as Georgia’s first lady. Dayle was able to participate in a panel conversation alongside Governor Deal to discuss the late First Lady’s legacy and the measures the House is continuing to prioritize in order to ensure Georgia’s children are receiving the best education possible.
Dayle and former Governor Nathan Deal at his book signing ceremony
Former Governor Nathan Deal, Dayle, and Trip Addison, VP of University Advancement and External Affairs with Georgia Southern University
It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to continue serving the people of Georgia as Speaker of the House for another term. As the 2025 Legislative Session approaches, please feel free to reach out about the issues and policies that matter most to you.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
My best,
Speaker Jon Burns