ATLANTA – State Representative Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) was recently named by the Georgia Council on Aging (GCOA) as its “2023 Legislator of the Year.” This annual recognition is bestowed upon a legislator who shows commitment to Georgia’s seniors throughout the legislative session.
“I am honored and humbled that the GCOA selected me for this award during my first legislative session,” said Rep. Barrett. “This award serves as a reminder of the importance of our collective responsibility to prioritize and address the needs of our aging population. As a legislator, I am committed to working closely with organizations to develop and implement policies that safeguard the rights, health and dignity of our senior residents.”
The GCOA’s Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE) presented Rep. Barrett with the award at CO-AGE’s annual meeting on Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Macon. During the meeting, CO-AGE officials expressed gratitude for Rep. Barrett’s contributions to improve the lives of older Georgians throughout the 2023 legislative session.
During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Barrett brought his background in finance to the table as a member of the House Banks & Banking Committee. He worked closely with the committee’s members and the Georgia Council on Aging to support the passage of Senate Bill 84, or the Senior Protections from Exploitation Against Retirees (SPEAR) Act. He also partnered with the council for the GCOA Day at the Capitol in February 2023.
The Georgia Council on Aging was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1977. Council members are appointed by the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the House, and the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services. Selected to represent all older Georgians, the council is comprised of 10 consumers and 10 service providers. They are chosen to ensure that minorities, low-income, rural, urban, and public and private organizations are included.
Rep. Barrett was the founder and CEO of Community Business Bank. He has served his community and Forsyth County on numerous boards and organizations for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of both Leadership Forsyth and Leadership North Fulton, a founding member and past president of the Rotary Club of Lanier Forsyth, as well as co-chair of Envision 2030. Throughout the years, he has received awards and recognition for his service to the Forsyth community.
Representative Carter Barrett represents the citizens of District 24, which includes portions of Forsyth County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Code Revision and Higher Education committees. He also serves on the Banks & Banking Committee.
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