SR497: SR497 Sumner, Michael Ernest; condolences

This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate honoring Michael Ernest Sumner, who died on February 22, 2025. It recounts his life story: his birth in Nashville, his family's move to Decatur, Georgia, his education at Lakeside High School, the University of Virginia, and the University of Georgia's Lumpkin School of Law, and his legal career in Newnan, where he founded a law practice now known as Sumner Meeker LLC. The resolution also recognizes his 16 years of service on the Coweta County Board of Education, including five years as chair, and his role in founding the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts and Georgia's first technical charter high school. It notes his family life and his decades of involvement with Central Baptist Church. The Senate directs that a copy of the resolution be given to his family.

• Formally expresses the Georgia Senate's regret at the death of Michael Ernest Sumner and honors his life and memory.
• Recounts his education, legal career, and 16 years on the Coweta County Board of Education, including founding a technical charter high school.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Sumner's family.

The resolution directly names Michael Ernest Sumner's family, including his wife and children, and recognizes institutions he was connected to, such as the Coweta County Board of Education and Central Baptist Church in Newnan.

The resolution has no regulatory or legal effect on Georgians generally; it is a ceremonial gesture of the Senate's respect, providing Sumner's family with an official record of the state's recognition of his community service and legal career.

• The whereas clauses detail Sumner's birth, education, and legal career, including founding a law practice in Newnan in 1996.
• The resolution credits him with 16 years on the Coweta County Board of Education and helping found the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts and a technical charter high school.
• The resolved clause formally expresses the Senate's regret at his passing and honors his memory.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

1. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)

• Senate resolution
• condolences
• Coweta County
• memorial tribute