ATLANTA – State Representatives Debra Bazemore (D-Riverdale), Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) and Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville), along with Senators Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) recently attended the 2019 Public Leadership Institute’s (PLI) State Strategy Forum National Conference. This conference invites about 120 state legislators from over 40 different states to participate in policy and leadership sessions, which are designed as practical and real-world as possible.
“This Public Leadership Conference was packed full of great speakers and relevant information,” said Rep. Bazemore. “We came away equipped with helpful strategies regarding current situations that all of us face in various parts of the country. I believe these strategies will enable us to effectively move towards a more positive outcome for our constituents.”
“It was my first time attending PLI, and we heard some great speakers, and I was happy to participate on a panel I am passionate about,” said Rep. Kendrick. “There were legislators from all over the nation that I was able to connect with and share ideas.”
“I was honored to be selected to serve as a panelist at the Public Leadership Institute giving my perspective on issues to my colleagues and peers from across the nation,” said Rep. Mitchell. “My time at the conference was all about making policy to the benefit of all of our constituents.”
“This conference was very informative,” said Rep. Park. “We learned a great deal during the sessions and by exchanging ideas with other legislators, which will help shape our policy discussions next session in Georgia.”
“’This was my first time attending PLI, and the experience of having holistic, productive conversation on a larger scale was a ‘winning moment,’” said Sen. Anderson. “This conference rejuvenated my passion and enhanced my hunger for more.”
“The State Strategy Forum provided a wealth of information on policies that can move Georgia forward,” said Sen. Orrock. “Investing in community schools, for example, is already getting positive results in many states. I ‘ll share those models in our Senate Community Schools Study Committee.”
The three-day conference was held July 12 – 14 in Washington D.C. During the conference, state legislators participated in and led several policy and leadership sessions. Rep. Bazemore spoke on “Skills Session: Preparing to Win Advocacy Training;” Rep. Kendrick spoke on spoke on “All In for Women’s Health: Protecting and Expanding Abortion Rights;” Rep. Mitchell spoke on “Keep Black Families and Communities Strong;” and Sen. Orrock moderated a panel on “A Path to Prosperity: Policies that Support Working Families.”
The Public Leadership Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy and leadership center organized to raise public awareness on key issues of equity and justice and to develop public leaders who will improve the economic and social conditions of all Americans.
For more information on PIL, please click here.
*Editor’s note: a photo from the PIL conference is attached. (From left to right: Rep. Sam Park, Sen. Tonya Anderson, Sen. Nan Orrock, Rep. Debra Bazemore, Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, and Rep. Billy Mitchell.)
Representative Debra Bazemore represents the citizens of District 63, which includes portions of Clayton, Fayette and Fulton counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Human Relations & Aging, Intragovernmental Coordination, Natural Resources & Environment and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
Representative Dar’shun Kendrick represents the citizens of District 93, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Billy Mitchell represents the citizens of District 88, which includes portions of DeKalb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
Representative Sam Park represents the citizens of District 101, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Higher Education, Industry and Labor, Intragovernmental Coordination and Small Business Development committees.
Senator Tonya Anderson represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties. She may be reached by email at tonya.anderson@senate.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 463-2598.
Sen. Nan Orrock serves as the Democratic Caucus Secretary. She represents the 36th Senate District which includes portions of Fulton County. She may be reached at 404.463.8054 or by email at nan.orrock@senate.ga.gov.
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