SR248: SR248 Person, Charles; condolences

This Georgia Senate resolution commemorates Charles Person, an Atlanta native who joined the Freedom Riders in 1961 at age 18 to challenge segregation laws in the United States. The resolution recounts his role in the civil rights movement, the violence and danger he faced, and his later work in education and mentorship to preserve the movement's legacy. Charles Person died on January 8, 2025. The resolution formally has the Senate honor him posthumously for his contributions to civil rights and extend condolences to his family, friends, and others inspired by his work. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to his family.

• Formally honors Charles Person posthumously for his role as one of the original 1961 Freedom Riders and his lifelong civil rights work.
• Extends the Senate's condolences to Person's family, friends, and those inspired by his activism.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Person's family.
• Recounts specific biographical facts, including his age when he joined the Freedom Riders and the date of his death, January 8, 2025.

The resolution directly names Charles Person's family and friends, who will receive a copy of it, and the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with distributing it. It also reflects on the broader civil rights movement and those who were inspired by Person's activism.

While the resolution carries no regulatory or funding effect, it represents the Georgia Senate's official recognition of a civil rights figure's life and death, creating a lasting public record and a keepsake document for his family.

• Whereas clauses describe Charles Person's background as an Atlanta native and his joining the Freedom Riders in 1961 at age 18.
• Whereas clauses note his continued work after the Freedom Rides in education, mentorship, and preserving civil rights history.
• The resolved clause has the Senate posthumously honor Person for his contributions to civil rights.
• A further resolved clause extends condolences to his family, friends, and those inspired by his work.
• A final resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy for distribution to his family.

1. 2025-02-26Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-24Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)Primary sponsor
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)

• civil rights history
• Freedom Riders
• Georgia Senate resolution
• condolences
• Atlanta history