| First elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1997, Penny Houston (R-Nashville) has distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for children and those in need. She represents House District 170 covering Berrien and Cook counties and part of Tift County. Houston serves as Chairman of Appropriations Economic Development Subcommittee, budgeting funds for the Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Community Affairs, Department of Economic Development, Georgia Ports Authority, World Congress Center, Georgia Forestry Division, Public Service Commission, and the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission. She also serves on the Banks and Banking, Ways and Means, State Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight committees. In addition, she serves on the Joint Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee, the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, the Study Committee on Licensing and Inspection of Child Welfare Providers, the Georgia Tobacco Community Development Board, the National Conference of State Legislatures Health and Education Committees, the Georgia Commission on Family Violence Board, Georgia General Assembly's House Study Committee on Medical Education and State Health System, and the Southern Legislative Conference Fiscal Affair and Government Operations Committee. She has also represented Georgia at the National Conference of Agriculture Leaders in Washington, D.C. Prior to her election to the State House, she served on the Special Committee on Certificate of Need, the Special Committee on Grady Hospital Rep. Houston was the first woman to serve on the Berrien County School Board, serving eight years, three as Vice-Chairman. During Rep. Houston's tenure in the House, she has served as Vice-Chairman of Agriculture, ViceChairman of State Planning & Community Affairs, Chairman of Education Subcommittee Curriculum and Instructions and Chairman of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight committees. Before assuming Chairman of Economic Development Appropriation Subcommittee, Rep. Houston was Chairman of Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee. At home, Rep. Houston is an active member of the Nashville United Methodist Church. She is a member of the Nashville Woman's Club, the Berrien, Tift and Cook County Chambers of Commerce and serves as an executive member of the Berrien County Chamber's board. She is an honorary member of the Nashville Rotary Club. She has been involved with the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes for more than 30 years and currently serves as a member of the Boys Ranch board of Directors in Hahira. Rep. Houston also serves on the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Speech School and on the Board of Directors of PenfieldChristian Homes. A life-long Georgian, Rep. Houston grew up in Leary but has resided in Nashville for more than 40 years. She graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and from the University of Georgia. She has three children and five grandchildren. |