--- title: HR 478. Wilder, Reverend Art; occasion of his retirement; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr478 cite_as: HR 478, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr478 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr478.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr478/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71110 date: 2025-03-03 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr477.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr479.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr478.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 478 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-03 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - John Carson - Sharon Cooper text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR478/2025 upstream_id: 1990306 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commemorative resolution - Johnson Ferry Baptist Church - clergy retirement - House of Representatives honors --- # HR 478. Wilder, Reverend Art; occasion of his retirement; recognize ## Text House Resolution 478 By: Representatives Carson of the 46th and Cooper of the 45th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Reverend Art Wilder upon the occasion of his retirement; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Reverend Art Wilder has long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to teaching the Gospel, witnessing Christ through word and deed, and addressing the physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual needs of others; and WHEREAS, he has devoted four decades to answering God's call, serving in ministry with faithfulness and dedication, including 38 years as the minister over pastoral care at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church; and WHEREAS, throughout his tenure at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Reverend Wilder served in numerous capacities, including as pastor over discipleship, missions, singles, and senior adults; and WHEREAS, his background in engineering helped him develop effective systems and equip others to provide compassionate spiritual care, ensuring that the church remained personally connected with its members, especially during times of illness, crisis, and loss; and WHEREAS, Reverend Wilder's wisdom and kindness have been a source of comfort and guidance for countless individuals over the years, offering strength, encouragement, and care to those in need; and WHEREAS, he has touched the lives of many through his steadfast leadership, his ability to uplift and inspire others in their faith, and his unwavering commitment to the ministry of Christ; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of this devoted and pious man as he retires from full-time ministry, leaving a lasting legacy of faith, service, and love. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Reverend Art Wilder upon the grand occasion of his retirement, express gratitude for his 40 years of ministry, and extend best wishes for future health and happiness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Reverend Art Wilder. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution honors Reverend Art Wilder of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for 40 years of ministry as he retires, including 38 years as minister of pastoral care. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing Reverend Art Wilder on his retirement. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it formally commends Wilder for four decades in ministry, including 38 years as minister over pastoral care at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, where he also served in roles tied to discipleship, missions, singles, and senior adults. The resolution highlights his background in engineering, which he used to build systems that helped the church stay personally connected with members during illness, crisis, and loss. It closes by directing the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Reverend Wilder as a keepsake. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Reverend Art Wilder by name for his 40 years of ministry work. - States the House's gratitude for his service and extends best wishes for his future health and happiness. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare an official copy of the resolution for Reverend Wilder. - Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a symbolic statement by the House of Representatives. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names Reverend Art Wilder and references Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, where he served for decades. It has no regulatory effect on any broader group of Georgians; it is a personal tribute rather than a policy change. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect on Georgians generally. Its practical significance is limited to formally documenting the legislature's recognition of Reverend Wilder's decades of ministry and providing him a keepsake copy for his personal records. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Reverend Wilder's 40 years in ministry, including 38 years as minister over pastoral care at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. - The resolved clause formally commends Wilder and expresses gratitude and well wishes on behalf of the House of Representatives. - A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Wilder. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-03) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-03) - Sponsors: John Carson, Sharon Cooper - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71110 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr478.md?full=1