SR300: SR300 Sims family; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors the Sims family of Newton County, tracing their history from Cary Sims purchasing farmland in 1947 despite barriers facing Black landowners, through his son Eddie Roy Sims and daughter-in-law Mildred Sims building businesses in landscaping, grading, and janitorial services, to grandson Lanier Sims expanding the family excavating company and serving as a Newton County Commissioner. The resolution recognizes the family's role in bringing jobs to Newton County, mentoring Black entrepreneurs, and supporting community organizations like the Newton County Miracle League. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Sims family, but it does not create any programs, funding, or legal requirements.

• Formally commends the Sims family for their history of entrepreneurship and community service in Newton County, Georgia.
• Recites the family's history, from Cary Sims' 1947 land purchase through his son and grandson's business and public service careers.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Sims family.
• Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than legislation.

The resolution names the Sims family of Newton County specifically, including Cary Sims, Eddie Roy Sims, Mildred Sims, and Lanier Sims, as well as the Newton County community, the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, and the Newton County Miracle League mentioned in connection with their work.

The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians generally; its significance is symbolic, formally recognizing one family's business and civic contributions to Newton County during Black History Month as an official act of the Georgia Senate.

• The whereas clauses recount the Sims family history, including Cary Sims' 1947 purchase of 110 acres of farmland for $3,000 in cash.
• The whereas clauses describe Eddie Roy and Mildred Sims building landscaping, grading, and janitorial businesses starting in the 1960s and 1970s.
• The whereas clauses note Lanier Sims' leadership of Sims Excavating Inc. and his service as a Newton County Commissioner from 2011 to 2018.
• The resolved clause formally commends the Sims family for their impact on Newton County and their legacy of leadership and perseverance.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the Sims family.

1. 2025-02-28Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)Primary sponsor
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)

• Newton County
• Black History Month
• community recognition
• local business
• legislative resolution