Veterans Day is a solemn reminder that the freedoms we enjoy were realized through courage, sacrifice and an unwavering devotion to duty. Our veterans stood on the front lines of liberty, answered the call when our nation needed them most and protected the values that define America. Generations of my family served the military and as first responders, which fills me with pride every day.
We honor them not only for their service, but for their character and for choosing service over self. We also recognize them for defending the innocent, and for carrying the torch of freedom to every corner of the world. Their example inspires us to remain vigilant in safeguarding our great republic, which they swore to protect.
In Georgia, we take pride in leading the nation in supporting our veterans and military families. We have prioritized strengthening veterans’ healthcare access and job training opportunities, expanding educational benefits, and supporting veteran-owned businesses. These efforts ensure that those who served receive the respect and resources they have earned.
It has been my priority to support the brave men and women who wore the uniform. I have authored and passed legislation to help our veterans reintegrate, thrive, and receive the benefits they deserve.
On Veterans Day and every day, let us remember that our freedoms are never free. We owe a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. We can honor our veterans by living as responsible citizens, defending the values they fought for and offering sincere thanks to every man and woman who served in the United States Armed Forces. God Bless America and our Veterans!
On November 11th, we honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the our great nation. It is my hope in prayer that everyday is considered Veterans Day and we always recognize and support those who served.
Heaven has a new angel with the loss on earth of my friend and colleague, Georgia State Representative Mandi Ballinger. She was a champion for so many people and her legacy of service, family, and community lives on in Cherokee County…
This is a unique election cycle with both local municipal races as well as statewide candidates for the Public Service Commission. We also have important questions to implement Fulton senior school tax exemptions for property taxes and a TSPLOST in Cherokee County. Election day is November 4th with early voting well underway.
You can vote in person early, on election day or by mail. My tradition is to vote on election day and oftentimes as the first person at my precinct. You can follow the links below for times and locations.
Georgia leads the nation as we enter the final quarter of 2025. Our conservative policies have led to record low unemployment far below the national average. It feels like every week Governor Kemp and Lt. Governor Jones are announcing a new company or major expansion coming to our beloved state. I will continue to work tirelessly to keep Georgia the #1 place to live, work, and raise a family…
Today marks 24 years since 9/11/01. Do you remember how you felt on September 11th, and the days after? Did you thank a police officer or give blood? Did you have a tear in your eye when you passed a fire station? Did you talk to complete strangers or give grace and forgiveness to those you previously denied it? Did you rethink your priorities or just hug your family and say I love you more often? Did you proudly display the American flag?
Each of us was affected in different ways. First Responders all over the country went on high alert to protect the homeland. Today, we still stand ready and answer the call. September 11th, also known as Patriot Day is to remember and support our Police, Firefighters, EMS & 911 dispatchers.
September 11, 2001, 2,977 people died – of the fallen were 343 firefighters and 72 police officers. Their actions and sacrifice saved thousands of our families and friends.
We Will Never Forget! May God bless you, our great state of Georgia, and the United States of America.
Work continues for you at the GA Capitol as summer winds down. One major initiative is Next Generation 911, which ensures that our emergency services have the best technology to help in your time of need. As the Senate Chairman of Public Safety, I appointed a subcommittee to work on this issue and to meet with and hear from experts this fall.
Today, Senator John Albers (R–Roswell) joined Roswell Police Chief Jim Conroy, Mayor Kurt Wilson, members of the Labonte family, and first responders from across the community to dedicate the Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange.
The ceremony, held at Roswell Police Department Headquarters, honored Officer Labonte’s life and service to the Roswell community. The newly named interchange will stand as a lasting reminder of his sacrifice and the gratitude of those he protected.
“Officer Labonte embodied the very best of law enforcement – courage, honor and a commitment to protecting others,” said Sen. Albers. “His legacy will live on through the Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange as a symbol of our community’s respect for those who wear the badge. We are forever indebted to him and to his family for their sacrifice, and I’ll continue to make sure Georgia always backs the blue.”
The dedication serves as a visible reminder of Officer Labonte’s enduring impact on Roswell and the unwavering support Georgians hold for law enforcement officers and their families.
Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].
Our new fiscal year started on July 1st and Georgia recently reported another excellent year of lowering taxes, conservative budgeting, and superior fiscal responsibility. We have a balanced budget and no deficit. We continue to lower the income tax and send tax rebates back to our families. After all, the government has no money – it is the taxpayers! We maintained our AAA bond rating, which is one of the best in the nation and are spending the same per capita when adjusted for inflation as we did 17 years ago. We have much to be proud of in Georgia!
Energy independence isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an American imperative. It strengthens our economy and secures our homeland.
For too long, we’ve allowed our nation’s energy policy to drift away from common sense. The result? Higher prices, greater instability and dangerous reliance on countries that do not share our values. It’s time for a course correction that restores energy independence as a cornerstone of American strength.
As a lifelong conservative, I believe in solutions rooted in reality, not ideology. The reality is this: Energy independence is not just an economic issue.
It’s a matter of national security, public safety and global stability. If we want to secure the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must again harness our resources and lead with principle.
America has long been blessed with abundant natural resources like oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power and renewables.
An ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy is essential for the U.S.
The federal government’s overregulation of energy production has weakened our standing on the world stage. By shutting down pipelines and stifling drilling permits, we’ve traded energy abundance for bureaucratic red tape and handed leverage to regimes that use energy as a geopolitical weapon.
When we rely on oil from Venezuela, Iran or Russia, we risk price spikes and compromise our national security. These regimes don’t just sell oil; they fund terror, stoke unrest, and undermine freedom. Why should we empower them when we have the resources right here at home?
We shouldn’t. A strong and stable America begins with energy produced in America, by Americans, for Americans.
Families in Georgia are feeling the high fuel and electricity costs. Whether at the gas pump or within the monthly utility bill, energy prices ripple through every sector of the economy. Inflation, still stubbornly high, is largely driven by the cost of energy. When we increase domestic supply, we lower prices, ease the burden on working families and create better-paying jobs in the process.
This is why I support an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. We don’t need to choose between economic growth and environmental responsibility when we can have both. Georgia has shown what’s possible when innovation, conservation, and responsible development work together.
Let’s continue that momentum by encouraging clean-burning natural gas, advancing nuclear technology, investing in American-made renewables, and revitalizing our domestic oil and gas production.
Do not abandon traditional energy sources to fight climate change
We must also recognize that public safety depends on a stable energy grid. Emergency services, law enforcement, hospitals and water systems all require reliable access to power. When the grid falters, lives are at risk. We saw this in other states during recent winters and hurricanes. Georgia must be prepared for anything, starting with resilient, homegrown energy systems.
Energy independence also allows us to stand with our allies and lead on the world stage. By exporting clean, affordable American energy, we can provide countries in Europe and Asia with alternatives to hostile energy suppliers. In doing so, we strengthen democracy, support economic freedom, and push back against tyranny on the global stage.
Critics will say we must abandon traditional energy sources to fight climate change, but that’s a false choice. America has already led the world in emissions reductions thanks to market innovation and cleaner fuels. Rather than handicap ourselves with excessive government mandates, let’s continue our leadership by outpacing the rest of the world through ingenuity and excellence.
The United States should never apologize for using the resources we’ve been blessed with. Instead, we should modernize our energy infrastructure, streamline the permitting process, and unleash the power of the private sector. In doing so, we can resist the radical environmental agenda that prioritizes virtue signaling over results.
Energy independence isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an American imperative. It strengthens our economy, secures our homeland, and ensures our future remains in our own hands. By putting common sense back into our energy policy, I believe we can continue to be good stewards of our environment while also ensuring our lights stay on.
Georgia state Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County.
The creation of the Declaration of Independence stands as one of the most pivotal moments in the history of the United States. It not only marked the birth of a nation but also exemplified the courage, vision, and philosophical insight of the Founding Fathers. These men, through their work on the Declaration, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality. Their dedication to the cause of liberty has left an indelible mark on the United States and continues to inspire generations to this day. Next year we will celebrate our 250th or Semiquincentennial anniversary!
At the heart of the Declaration of Independence lies a profound sense of purpose. The Founding Fathers knew that they were not merely drafting a document to break from a foreign power; they were establishing the principles upon which the nation would stand. As they set pen to paper, they were not just acting in their own self-interest but were forging a new path for humanity. Their task was monumental creating a document that would be both a statement of independence and a timeless declaration of the rights of individuals. In doing so, they were laying the groundwork for a system of government that would prioritize liberty and self-governance.
One of the most striking aspects of the Declaration is the boldness with which it challenges existing power structures. The document opens with a statement of universal principles: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These words, simple yet powerful, were a direct challenge to the idea that kings and monarchs held divine authority over their subjects. By invoking these universal rights, the Founding Fathers shifted the basis of political authority from the crown to the people themselves.
The decision to declare independence was not made lightly. The Founding Fathers were fully aware of the risks involved in their actions. Signing the Declaration of Independence was, in essence, an act of treason against the British crown, punishable by death. Yet, despite the personal risk, they chose to stand firm in their belief that the cause of liberty was worth any sacrifice. In fact, Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration, later wrote, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” This sentiment reflected the sense of duty that the Founding Fathers felt toward the creation of a free nation. Their bravery and selflessness were instrumental in the success of the American Revolution.
While the Declaration was certainly a revolutionary document, it was also a reflection of the Founding Fathers’ deep understanding of the complexities of governance. They knew that the establishment of a new government would require more than just the rejection of monarchy; it would require the creation of a system that would ensure justice, balance, and the protection of individual rights. The Declaration of Independence, in this sense, became not only a call for freedom but also a blueprint for the future governance of the United States. It was a statement that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, a concept that would later be fully realized in the Constitution.
The inspirational work of the Founding Fathers in creating the Declaration of Independence cannot be overstated. Their courage, vision, and dedication to the ideals of liberty continue to inspire people around the world. The Declaration, with its powerful words and revolutionary ideas, laid the foundation for a nation built on the principles of equality, justice, and freedom. It is a testament to the enduring strength of the American spirit and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought to secure the rights and freedoms that we hold dear today.
As we reflect this July 4th, Independence Day on the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, we are reminded that the work of the Founding Fathers was not just an isolated event in history. Their vision continues to shape the American identity and guides us in our ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union. God Bless America!
