SR79: SR79 Beasley, Judge Dorothy Toth; condolences

25 LC 112 2645 Senate Resolution 79 By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Harbison of the 15th, Jones of the 10th, Beach of the 21st, McLaurin of the 14th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley on May 19, 2024; and3 WHEREAS, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley was born on October 5, 1937 , in Passaic, New4 Jersey, a beloved daughter of Stephen and Beatrice Toth; and5 WHEREAS, after studying American history and government at St. Lawrence University in6 New York, she briefly worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C., before attending7 the American University Washington College of Law, where she wa s one of only a few8 females in her class; and9 WHEREAS, upon her graduation, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley began her distinguished law10 career as a clerk in Arlington, Virginia, before becoming an as sociate at the law firm11 Shadyac, Berg & Nolen; and12 S. R. 79 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2645 WHEREAS, during her tenure at the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, she worked in13 the criminal division and argued five cases before the United S tates Supreme Court,14 including the landmark cases Doe v. Bolton and Furman v. Georgia; and15 WHEREAS, she further served as a federal prosecutor in the Nort hern District of Georgia16 before becoming the first fema le judge of the Fulton County Sta te Court, where she17 introduced the county to the concept of community service as a criminal sentence; and18 WHEREAS, in 1984, she was appointed by then-G overnor Joe Frank Harris as the first19 woman on the Georgia Court of Appeals, becoming the state's first female appellate judge20 as well as the court's first female chief judge in 1995; and21 WHEREAS, a dedicated member of her community, Judge Dorothy Tot h Beasley served22 with multiple professional organizations, supported civics educ ation programs, advocated23 for public health, raised awareness of child sex trafficking, and much more; and24 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley will long25 be remembered for her love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all26 who had the great fortune of knowing her.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body28 join in honoring the life and memory of Judge Dorothy Toth Beas ley and express their29 deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.30 S. R. 79 - 2 - 25 LC 112 2645 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed31 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to the family of32 Judge Dorothy Toth Beasley.33 S. R. 79 - 3 -