HR75: HR75 Ham, Phillip Benson, Sr.; condolences

25 LC 112 2741 House Resolution 75 By: Representatives Dickey of the 134th, Herring of the 145th, and Crowe of the 118th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Phillip Benson Ham Sr.; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Phillip Benson Ham Sr. on January 11, 2025; and3 WHEREAS, Phillip Benson Ham Sr. was born on January 6, 1934, in Smarr, Georgia, a4 beloved son of John Wesley Ham Sr. and Laura Belle Benson Ham; and5 WHEREAS, he dedicated over six decades to his legal career in Forsyth, Georgia, serving6 as president of the Flint Judicial Circuit Bar Association and a s p a r t o f t h e B o a r d o f7 Governors of the Georgia Bar Association as well as playing an instrumental role in the8 creation of the Towaliga Judicial Circuit; and9 WHEREAS, he further served the State of Georgia as a state representative for 10 years, and10 during his tenure as vice-chair of the State Board of Elections , he championed education11 reform and economic development in Monroe County; and12 H. R. 75 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2741 WHEREAS, during his 13 years as chairman of the Monroe County Board of Education, he13 guided the county through desegregation, secured funding for a new high school, and14 implemented higher salary supplements to attract and retain top teachers; and15 WHEREAS, he additionally served as president of the Monroe County Community Action16 Committee and director of the Monroe County Economic Development Authority, bringing17 major projects such as Plant Scherer and the Georgia Public Saf ety Training Center to18 Monroe County; and19 WHEREAS, Phillip Benson Ham Sr. was a leader in rural electrifi cation and agricultural20 advocacy, serving as board chairman of the Central Georgia Elec tric Membership21 Cooperative, president of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, and22 legislative director of the Georgia Farm Bureau; and23 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Phillip Benson Ham S r. will long be24 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who25 had the great fortune of knowing him.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that27 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Phillip Benson Ham Sr.28 and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the31 family of Phillip Benson Ham Sr.32 H. R. 75 - 2 -