RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS TO BE HEARD AND APPROVED DURING THE DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP.

Per the agenda for Dade County Board of Commissioner Workshop tomorrow, April 3, 2025 at 6 p.m. there are 4 resolutions/prolamations to be heard and approved for Dade County.

The four proclamations range in topics with the first, covering child abuse prevention, the second, covering organ donation, the third, covering National Arbor Day, and the fourth and final, covering sexual assault awareness.

The first proclamation covers child abuse, children’s rights, and discusses how it is the responsibility of all citizens of Dade to join together to that children’s voice may be heard. It goes further to express that we must make sure we are assisting those in need, both children and families alike, and that in order to better succeed in the prevention of abuse we all (local businesses, schools, churches, citizens, local health providers, civic organizations, and more) much work together as one (a village) establishing a safe and encouraging atmosphere that harbors goodwill and growth for the children. In closing it proclaims that April 2025 be known “Child Abuse Prevention Month” throughout Dade County, GA, and implores local families and the standing community to get involved in safeguarding the youth of Dade County.

The second proclamation covers the “gift of life” or organ donation. The proclamation goes over the current statistics of how many people men, women, and children there currently are awaiting an organ transplant in just the United States alone with the number being 103,000, and it discusses that there is such a significant donor lack that on average approximately 17 people pass away each day because of this lack of accessible organs. The proclamation goes over the different donations that can be made and how they can not only help the person receiving the donation but, how it also provides hope to the families of the recipients as well. Other items covered are ways that one can sign up to become an organ donor such as when you get or renew your driver’s license or state issued identification card at a Georgia Department of Driver’s Safety Office, or you can sign up at www.donatelifegeorgia.org. Inn closing the proclamation proclaims April as “Donate Life Month” in Dade County to honor those who have given the gift of life.

The third proclamation covers Arbor Day and discusses essentially what Arbor day is, when it was founded, who founded it, when Georgia first proclaimed its Arbor Day in 1890, how trees help clean the air and water, provide shade and homes for wildlife, among other benefits. In closing it proclaims that “April 19, 2025 as a local Arbor Day Celebration in Dade County.”

The fourth and final proclamation is regarding “Sexual Assault Awareness” and was made with the intention to bring awareness to the verity that sexual assault is worldwide, and it can affect anyone, even those in Dade County, Georgia.

It has been proven statistically that at least one out of five women will have experienced sexual assault in while attending college and one and sixteen men will experience the same. (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2025);

The proclamation goes on further to to advocate for those who have experienced any sexual abuse to speak out, and for witnesses to come forward. It also advocates for prevention education, to holding offenders accountable, and greater consciousness to help eradicate this issue.

In ending the proclamation proclaims that the “Board of Commissioners of Dade County, Georgia joins anti-sexual violence advocates and support service service programs in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence. Along with the United States Government the State of Georgia and the County of Dade,” and that April is henceforth proclaimed as “Sexual Assualt Awareness Month” in Dade County, Georgia.