[UPDATED] SWGAPolitics.com Recognized by Ga House of Representatives

SWGAPolitics.com, along with Peach Pundit, JasonPye.com, Georgia Politics Unfiltered, GriftDrift, and GaLiberal, has been commended is expected to be commended today by the Georgia House of Representatives for our “unique role in promoting openness and transparency in state government”!

I’ll put the full text of the Resolution after the jump, but this came out of the craziness that is Crossover Day. On the Live Blog co-hosted by all of those named above except GriftDrift we had several State Representatives join us, including Steve Davis (the sponsor of this resolution), Ralph Long (a cosponsor), Stephen Allison, and Mark Hatfield. We also had Democratic statewide candidates Carol Porter (Lt Gov) and RJ Hadley (US Senate) join us. This was the second time we had done this – last year Jason and I started it, and we hope it continues to grow – and we had 799 viewers on the day.

It was a great time, and just one example of the hard work we political bloggers do. Thanks to Reps Davis, Long, Jerguson, Everson, Glanton, “and others” for recognizing it!

Here’s the text:

A RESOLUTION

Commending Georgia’s political bloggers for their unique role in promoting openness and transparency in state government and inviting them to be recognized by the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, political blogs offer a vehicle for Georgians to assert their constitutional right of free speech and free press; and

WHEREAS, political blogs promote an interest in government and the political process; and

WHEREAS, political blogs are extremely vital to the public discourse as they provide attention to the lesser known issues facing the state; and

WHEREAS, elected officials frequent political blogs to communicate with concerned citizens about the work they are doing on their behalf; and

WHEREAS, through their advocacy on certain issues, political blogs have steered the debate in the halls of government; and

WHEREAS, the growth of political blogs in Georgia fosters democracy and holds the state’s elected officials accountable; and

WHEREAS, political blogs like Drifting Through The Grift, Georgia Liberal, Georgia Politics Unfiltered, Jason Pye.com, Peach Pundit, and SWGA Politics regularly keep the citizens of this state briefed on the inner-workings of state government.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body commends Georgia’s political bloggers for their unique role in promoting openness and transparency in state government.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives declares April 1, 2010, to be “Blogger Day At The Capitol.”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Dustin Baker, Erick Erickson, Jason Pye, Jeff Sexton, Andre Walker, and James Williams are invited to be recognized by the House of Representatives on a date and at a time designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dustin Baker, Erick Erickson, Jason Pye, Jeff Sexton, Andre Walker, and James Williams.