STATE REPRESENTATIVE
SHEILA JONES, District 44

Representative Sheila Jones is the youngest of seven children born to the late Rev. Joseph Jones, Sr. and Mrs. Darnella Jones. 

In November of 2004 Sheila Jones was elected State Representative for District 44 (parts of Cobb and Fulton counties).  As a Freshman Legislator, Representative Jones secured funding in the Budget for the Adult Day Care Program at the Harriett G. Darnell Multi-purpose Facility.  This is a great accomplishment for a Freshmen Legislator.

During her first session in the General Assembly, Representative Jones was named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and Woman Legislator of the Year by the Cobb Democratic Women.

Following her second session Representative Jones received the Joe Mack Wilson People's Champion Award.  The award was presented by the Cobb County Democratic Committee. Rep. Jones also received the Environmental Leadership Award from the Georgia Conservation Voters.

During the 2006 session, Representative Jones successfully introduced two new Georgia specialty license plates (signed by the Governor on May 5, 2006). Proceeds from the sale of these plates will benefit (1) the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia to enhance care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers, and to help eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; (2) the Minority Alliance for Child Care Development Associates Inc. (MACCDA) to develop programs for improved child care.

Representative Jones also co-sponsored the statewide “Mattie’s Call Act,” which was adopted this year to implement an emergency state wide alert system when Alzheimer’s patients and other disoriented adults become lost.  Named for Mrs. Mattie Moore of Atlanta, the Mattie’s Call alerts have rescued at least 11 such adults in the City of Atlanta, and this legislation (HB 728) will replicate the program across Georgia.

Jones was chief sponsor of HB 715, which would increase safety measures at railroad crossings routinely used by school buses and was unanimously approved by the House Transportation Committee.   Jones also introduced HB 777, which would allow all full-time public school employees to participate in the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.

During her first term, Representative Jones was chief sponsor or co-sponsor of 61 pieces of legislation, 34 of which have been adopted by the House of Representatives and six of which have been signed into law.

In 2007, Representative Jones secured funding in the Budget for  the Vinings Historic Preservation Society.  The funds will be used for Repair and Structural Renovations.

Representative Jones serves on the following Standing Committees:  Appropriations, Health & Human Services and Transportation.  In January of 2007, Representative Jones was appointed to serve on the Transportation Policy Committee by House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter.  In June of 2007 Representative Jones was appointed to the House Mental Health Professionals Study Committee by House Speaker Glenn Richardson.  The Committee will determine whether legislative action is needed to identify the shortage of mental health professionals in Georgia, and ways to increase their numbers and maximize their ability to provide the best mental health services.

Improving the quality of life in all of our communities is at the forefront of Representative Jones’ legislative agenda. She has a longstanding history of community leadership.  She has also been active in the Fulton County and State Democratic Party, the National Council of Negro Women Inc., the National Women’s Political Caucus and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Representative Jones has a devoted commitment to working with the elderly and also protecting and providing quality health care for women and children.

Representative Jones has been a resident of North Atlanta for over 50 years where she served as past President of the Harwell Heights Community Club (located in Collier Heights).  While president of her community, Sheila Jones sponsored a legislative luncheon at the State Capitol for the Senior Citizens where they were educated on Predatory Mortgage Lenders.  Her efforts to make Harwell Road a safer street resulted in the placement of speed breakers on the road.  As community president, she organized a community clean up drive, distributed food baskets to Senior Citizens during the holiday season.

Sheila was a sponsor for the children at the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home during their 2003 Christmas campaign.  After she was elected State Representative for District 44 in November 2004, Representative Jones was the chief organizer and sponsor of the 2004 toy drive for the children at the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home. The organization is home to children who are either orphaned or otherwise unable to live with their families for a period of time.

While serving as president of the National Women's Political Caucus/Atlanta Chapter, she coordinated a joint voter registration drive for the Atlanta Chapter and the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Representative Jones is a Gold Leader of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, where she has been recognized for her generosity and devotion since 1996.

For over 27 years, Representative Jones has been employed with Lockheed Martin Company in Marietta, and for over 27 years has been a member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, where she has held many high ranking positions. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Sheila served as the voice of more than 9,000 machinists while lobbying on Capitol Hill for better wages, unemployment benefits and workers compensation benefits for the workers in Georgia. Representative Jones is no stranger to the legislative process, and she is working hard to make sure the concerns of our community are heard at the State Capitol!

Representative Jones is a Board member of: The ACLU of Georgia.