SR285: SR285 Andrew J. Young Day; recognize February 28, 2025

25 LC 112 3169 Senate Resolution 285 By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Parent of the 44th, Jackson of the 41st, Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing February 28, 2025, as Andrew J. Young Day at the state capitol; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, Andrew J. Young has earned worldwide recognition as a pioneer and champion3 of civil and human rights who has dedicated more than 65 years to public service through4 roles in government, diplomacy, and advocacy; and5 WHEREAS, through his leadership, countries throughout the world have created a successful6 model that combines religion, education, democracy, and free enterprise in ways that support7 the public good; and8 WHEREAS, he began his political career in the United States House of Representatives as9 the first African American representative from the State of Georgia since Reconstruction and10 thereafter served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations under President11 Jimmy Carter; and12 WHEREAS, during his tenure as the United States ambassador, he negotiated an end to13 white-minority rule in Namibia and Zimbabwe as well as promoted President Carter's14 emphasis on human rights in global diplomacy efforts; and15 S. R. 285 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3169 WHEREAS, as a two-term Mayor of Atlanta, Andrew J. Young was instrumental in the city's16 economic expansion, attracting more than 1,100 businesses, secu ring over $70 billion in17 foreign direct investments, and generating more than a million jobs; and18 WHEREAS, he has further served on numerous boards, including th e Martin Luther King19 Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Morehouse College, the And rew Young School of20 Policy Studies at Georgia State University, and AmericasMart; and21 WHEREAS, he has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including an Emmy22 Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and the Dan Sweat Award in 2017, and his portrait has23 been inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery,24 cementing his legacy in American history; and25 WHEREAS, the devotion of his time, efforts, and energy to the s ervice of others and his26 many achievements are worthy of recognition during this special time.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body28 recognize February 28, 2025, as Andrew J. Young Day at the stat e capitol in honor of his29 extraordinary contributions to civil rights, diplomacy, public service, and economic30 development.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Andrew J. Young.33 S. R. 285 - 2 -