SR411: SR411 Johnson, Jr., Handy; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial honor passed by the Georgia Senate. It recognizes Handy Johnson, Jr. for his long record of community service, particularly his work restoring a historic home in Atlanta's West End neighborhood starting in 1971 and his role in founding and leading the West End Neighborhood Development organization. The resolution also notes that Johnson earned a master's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia, becoming the first African American to receive a graduate degree from that program, and that he spent 34 years working for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on statewide park planning. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare a copy of the resolution for Johnson, but the resolution does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally recognizes and commends Handy Johnson, Jr. for his public service and community leadership in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare an official copy of the resolution for distribution to Johnson.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is a purely ceremonial statement of appreciation.

This resolution directly names and honors Handy Johnson, Jr. It has no legal effect on other Georgians, agencies, or businesses; it simply records the Senate's recognition of one individual's community and career achievements.

Ceremonial resolutions like this one carry no legal or financial consequences for Georgians generally. Their significance is symbolic: an official public record of the Senate's appreciation for an individual's civic and professional contributions to the state.

• The resolution recites Johnson's history restoring a historic house in West End with his late wife Lois beginning in 1971.
• It notes his master's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia and his 34 years at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
• The resolving clause formally commends Johnson for his public service to the State of Georgia.
• A further clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Johnson.

1. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)

• legislative honors
• Atlanta history
• West End neighborhood
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources