HR552: HR552 Sumner, Michael Ernest; condolences

This is a commemorative resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives. It does not change any law. Instead, it formally recognizes the life of Michael Ernest Sumner, who was born in Nashville, Tennessee, grew up in Decatur, Georgia, and built a legal career in Newnan, Georgia, including founding the firm now known as Sumner Meeker LLC. The resolution recounts his 16 years of service on the Coweta County Board of Education, his role in creating the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts and Georgia's first technical charter high school, his decades of involvement at Central Baptist Church, and his family, including his wife Leah and their three sons and granddaughter. The House resolves to honor his memory and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

• Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Michael Ernest Sumner on February 22, 2025.
• Recounts his career as an attorney in Newnan, Georgia and his 16 years of service, including five as chair, on the Coweta County Board of Education.
• Credits him with helping found the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, a technical charter high school, and Coweta County's senior property tax exemption.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to his family.

This resolution most directly affects the family of Michael Ernest Sumner, who will receive a copy of it, and the Coweta County community, including the Coweta County Board of Education and Central Baptist Church, where he was long active.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official House tribute to Sumner's civic and legal contributions in Coweta County into the public record.

• The whereas clauses detail Sumner's birth, education at Lakeside High School, the University of Virginia, and the University of Georgia School of Law, and his legal career.
• The resolution credits his 16 years on the Coweta County Board of Education, including founding the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts and a technical charter high school.
• The resolving clause has the House of Representatives formally honor his life and memory and express regret at his passing.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to his family.

1. 2025-03-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)Primary sponsor
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• David Jenkins (R, HD-136)
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)

• condolence resolution
• Coweta County
• Georgia House of Representatives
• local education leaders