On April 27, President Gregory L. Fenves spent the day building relationships with government leaders. In meetings with the White House Office of Public Engagement, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the U.S. Department of Education, President Fenves explored opportunities for collaboration in the areas of cancer research and treatment, and student access and affordability. He also spoke of Emory's commitment to community engagement and working closely with Atlanta’s institutions of higher education.

Congressional Staffers Visit Emory

On April 22, Emory hosted a bipartisan group of staffers from six congressional offices at Emory University Hospital Midtown (EUHM) for an update and tour of EUHM, the new Winship Cancer Tower, and Emory's work in health equity. A highlight for staffers was a discussion with frontline nurses about how COVID and the reliance on traveling nurses has impacted their daily work. We really appreciate all our tour guides and presenters.

Federal lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill this week following a spring recess. In the coming weeks, Congress is slated to discuss President Biden’s request for supplemental COVID-19 funding, aid to Ukraine, and immigration matters. The OGCA team is closely monitoring progress on FY2023 appropriations.

On April 29, President Fenves served as the keynote speaker at the 2022 Day of Remembrance Holocaust Commission Event. This event is the State of Georgia’s annual Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration and this year, the theme was The Promise of America. The event took place in the House of Representatives Chamber with over 150 people in attendance including statewide elected officials, members of the Georgia General Assembly, state agency representatives, international consulate officials, survivors, liberators and Georgia Holocaust Commission members. Please see the May 3 Emory Report for photos, and more, related to this special event.

Governor Kemp Signing Legislation and the 2022 Session Report

Governor Brian Kemp has been busy signing legislation that passed during the 2022 Legislative Session into law. He has 40 days after Sine Die – April 4 – to sign or veto legislation. The legislation the Governor has signed so far addresses mental health parity, support for law enforcement, tax cuts, and codifying Juneteenth as a State Holiday. The OGCA team is working on an overview of all legislation tracked during the session; it will be shared after the 40 day signing period is over. 

Important Election Dates

The General Primary Election on May 24 is quickly approaching. The deadline to register to vote was April 25. The Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and several other statewide offices are up for a primary and/or general election. Additionally, the entire Georgia House of Representatives – 180 seats – and the Georgia Senate – 56 seats – are on the ballot in November. A majority of these also have a primary election on May 24. Please click here for the official schedule published by the Secretary of State for the entire 2022 Election cycle.

As recently announced, Emory’s 1599 building will be serving as a polling site for this year’s primary and midterm elections. Early voting begins May 2, and we are looking for volunteers to support throughout the election cycle. Please complete this volunteer interest form if you are available to join us for the May primaries. More information, onboarding steps and t-shirts will be provided soon.

Candidates’ Forum

On May 10, Emory will host a candidates’ forum to hear from the three candidates who are running for the DeKalb District 2 Commission seat being vacated by long-serving Commissioner Jeff Rader. The forum will be held in the Presentation Room in the Oxford Road Building, 1390 Oxford Road, NE. Award-winning news reporter and Druid Hills neighbor Sally Sears will moderate the forum, which will be from 6:30-8:30pm, with a “meet and greet the candidates” from 6:30-7:00pm. Information on the three candidates can be found on their websites below:

1. Lauren Alexander – www.lauren4dekalb.com
2. Marshall Orson  - www.OrsonForDeKalb.com
3. Michelle Long Spears – www.michellefordekalb.com

For additional information on the forum, please contact Betty Willis, betty.willis@emory.edu or David Payne, david.payne@emory.edu.

Sustainability Award

Recently, Alan Anderson was chosen by the Office of Resilience, Sustainability, and Economic Inclusion to receive Emory’s Staff Sustainability Innovators Award. According to Associate Vice President, Ciannat Howett, Alan’s leadership and guidance has helped Emory develop powerful and important partnerships in the greater Atlanta community. Alan was presented with the award during a virtual event on April 15. Please join us in congratulating Alan on this well-deserved recognition!