On Monday, Jan. 11, we began the second session of the 150th General Assembly. As our first order of business, the House quickly began the process of electing a new Speaker of the House and Speaker Pro Tempore, the two highest ranking positions in the Georgia House of Representatives. After hearing the candidates, the House of Representatives elected David Ralston as House Speaker and Jan Jones as the new House Speaker Pro Tem. Both won with broad, bipartisan support.

During his acceptance speech, Speaker Ralston discussed the tough challenges that we face as a state. While we face many serious challenges, the new Speaker stated that we should view the issues we face as opportunities and as a chance to make significant changes to better our state.

Despite becoming the highest ranking woman in the history of the Georgia General Assembly, Speaker Pro Tem Jones did not focus on her own accomplishments. She instead reminded us of the high standards we as elected officials should hold ourselves to and that our first priority is the honest people of Georgia. “Our 180 members share their conviction to do what is good and right for the people back home and Georgia as a whole,” she said.

 On Wednesday, Jan. 13, Gov. Sonny Perdue addressed a joint session of the House and Senate during his final State of the State address. Gov. Perdue echoed the sentiments of the new leadership in the House. Quoting Thomas Paine, Gov. Perdue reminded members of the General Assembly that good fathers and mothers ask for hard times and sacrifice during their lives so that those same challenges might be avoided by their children.

Gov. Perdue, Speaker Ralston and Speaker Pro Tem Jones all believe that Georgians are facing great challenges. However, we must remember that these are opportunities, not insurmountable obstacles. Like good fathers and mothers, we must accept these opportunities and be willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the better of the next generation. You elected me to do what is right for our district as well as all of Georgia, and I am eager to make the most of that opportunity.

Over the next several months, I will be representing you and our neighbors at the state Capitol. During that time I plan to send weekly updates to let you know how you are being served. During my campaign for this seat, I was eager to hear from you. Though the campaign may be over, my desire to hear from you is not. I need to know what you expect from the General Assembly, so please call my office at the Capitol in Atlanta and let me know what I can do for you. The phone number is 404-656-5125. Or email me at wendellwillard@wendellwilliard.com