State Representative Butch Parrish (R – Swainsboro), chairman of the House Rules Committee, was recently reappointed by House Speaker Jon Burns (R – Newington) to continue to serve as vice chairman of the Geo. L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee.

“I am deeply grateful to Speaker Jon Burns for reappointing me as vice chairman of the Geo. L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee,” said Rep. Parrish. “This committee plays an essential role in ensuring that the Georgia World Congress Center Authority continues to be an effective steward of Georgia’s valuable assets, including the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

“Under current state law, the Geo. L. Smith Overview Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing and assessing the operations of the Geo. L. Smith Authority, which was established in 1971 to oversee the development of what is now the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Georgia World Congress Center is named in honor of George Leon Smith, II, who was from Emanuel County and an early mentor to Rep. Parrish. Smith served in the Georgia House of Representatives for 29 years, including 11 years as Speaker of the House.