HR614: HR614 Allen, Lecester "Bill"; condolences

25 LC 112 3397 House Resolution 614 By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 63rd A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Lecester "Bill" Allen; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Lecester "Bill" Allen; and3 WHEREAS, after graduating from Wayne State University, Bill began his career as a teacher4 in the Detroit Public School System, made his first real estate investment, and later started5 a daycare business with his wife, Mattie, which expanded to 14 locations; and6 WHEREAS, by 1984, Bill and Mattie Allen extended their business to K-12th grade private7 schools at the request of parents and students, graduating their first high school class in 19888 and converting four schools into charter schools by 1994; and9 WHEREAS, in 1999, the Allens expanded their school and real est ate holdings across the10 United States, serving over 12,000 students at 30 locations in more than 20 cities and seven11 states through both their for-profit and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations; and12 WHEREAS, in the pursuit of supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, the Allens13 created the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) at Camp Exposure, a 150-acre complex in14 H. R. 614 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3397 Stonecrest, Georgia, featuring a state-of-the-art conference center, private hotel/dormitory,15 and a five-story antebellum mansion/conference center named Miss Rebecca's House; and16 WHEREAS, since its inception in 2001, AEI has educated over 10, 000 K-12 students and17 young adult entrepreneurs from across the globe, including local K-12 school groups, over18 30 Historical Black Colleges & Universities, and entrepreneurs from more than 20 African19 countries; and20 WHEREAS, in 2017, as an extension of the AEI, the Allens establ ished the AEI StartUp21 Factory, a co-working and event space adjacent to the Mall at Stonecrest; and22 WHEREAS, Lecester "Bill" Allen possessed the vast wisdom which only comes through23 experience and the strength of character which is achieved by o vercoming the many24 challenges of life; and25 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Lecester "Bill" Alle n will long be26 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who27 had the great fortune of knowing him.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that29 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Lecester "Bill" Allen and30 express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the33 family of Lecester "Bill" Allen.34 H. R. 614 - 2 -