SR468: SR468 Watkins, Lottie; condolences

This resolution is a formal tribute from the Georgia Senate marking the death of Lottie Watkins, who was born in Atlanta in 1918. It recounts her founding of Lottie Watkins Enterprises in 1960, which opened doors for Black real estate professionals and home owners, and her service in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1980, where she worked on economic development, civil rights, social justice, and voter rights. It also notes a 2023 historical marker placed at the Lottie Watkins building in Atlanta's West End honoring her legacy. The resolution formally expresses the Senate's regret at her passing and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to her family. It does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally expresses the Georgia Senate's regret over the death of Lottie Watkins and honors her life and memory.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Watkins' family.
• Recounts her biography, including founding Lottie Watkins Enterprises in 1960 and serving in the Georgia House from 1977 to 1980.

This resolution directly affects the family of Lottie Watkins, who will receive a copy, and serves as a public commemoration for Georgians, particularly those connected to Atlanta's West End community and the real estate and civil rights fields she worked in.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it provides an official state record recognizing Watkins' contributions to real estate access for Black home owners and to civil rights advocacy during her time in the Georgia House.

• The whereas clauses detail Watkins' birth in 1918, her founding of Lottie Watkins Enterprises in 1960, and her service in the Georgia House from 1977 to 1980.
• The resolved clause has the Senate formally honor her memory and express condolences.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to her family.

1. 2025-03-27Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-25Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)Primary sponsor
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)

• condolence resolution
• Georgia Senate
• civil rights history
• real estate history