SR243: SR243 Franklin, Reverend Lee C.; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. Instead, it recognizes the Reverend Lee C. Franklin, Senior Pastor of Mount Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta, for decades of religious and civic service. The resolution recounts his path from being licensed to preach in 1996 and ordained in 1999 through various church roles, his civic work including serving as the Fulton County Government Chaplain, and his creation of the Greater Atlanta Congress of Black Men, a network aimed at bringing Black men in metro Atlanta together to address community challenges. The Senate formally commends him and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to him.

• Formally recognizes and commends Reverend Lee C. Franklin for his religious leadership and civic contributions in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Reverend Franklin.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes.

The resolution directly names Reverend Lee C. Franklin, Mount Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta, and the Greater Atlanta Congress of Black Men, the self-help network he founded for Black men in the Atlanta metro area.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it is a public statement of recognition. Its practical significance is symbolic, giving formal Senate acknowledgment to Franklin's decades of ministry and community organizing work in Atlanta.

• The whereas clauses detail Franklin's religious career, including his ordination in 1999 and service in roles such as Youth Minister and Director of the Psalms 150 Choir.
• The whereas clauses also describe his civic roles, including National NAACP Religious Affairs Liaison and Fulton County Government Chaplain.
• The resolved clause formally commends him for ecumenical leadership, civic affairs, and social action excellence.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Franklin.

1. 2025-02-24Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-21Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)Primary sponsor

• ceremonial resolution
• Atlanta clergy
• community leadership
• Georgia Senate honors