Georgia House of Representatives
Public Information Office
Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
5-2036-5194
For Immediate Release 		 
May 10, 2004
Coleman Taps Lawmakers for Tobacco Community Development Board
Atlanta– House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman) has reappointed Representatives Penny Houston (D-Nashville), Richard Royal (D-Camilla) and Lynmore James (D-Montezuma) to the Georgia Tobacco Community Development Board.

The Georgia Legislature established the board in the 2000 session of the General Assembly to distribute funds from the state’s $4.8 billion settlement against cigarette manufacturers to Georgia tobacco farmers. According to the resolution creating the board, funds may be disbursed to farmers when they incur monetary “adverse effects” due to declines in domestic cigarette consumption caused by the state’s settlement against cigarette manufacturers. One of the board’s primary functions is to consider farmers’ losses and oversee the disbursement of funds to mitigate these losses.

“The members of the House that I have reappointed to the Board all have extensive knowledge of the tobacco producing industry and have many constituents who grow tobacco,” said Speaker Coleman. “This is very important for the agriculture community in Middle and South Georgia and their service will benefit tobacco farmers throughout the state.”

Board members will serve for a term concurrent with their terms of office in the General Assembly.

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For further information, please contact Speaker Coleman’s Office @ 404-656-0202.