Senate Resolution 1045
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Jones II of the 22nd, Anderson of the
43rd, Parent of the 44th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Andrea Young upon her retirement as Executive Director of
the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Andrea Young has devoted her life and career to the advancement of civil and
human rights, demonstrating distinguished leadership, public service, and an unwavering
commitment to justice for the people of Georgia and the nation; and
WHEREAS, since assuming leadership of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of
Georgia in January 2017, she has guided the organization in expanding its impact across
legal advocacy, public policy, civic engagement, and community education, strengthening
its role as a leading defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties; and
WHEREAS, under her leadership, the ACLU of Georgia worked to protect voting rights,
including efforts to prevent the improper removal of registered voters from the rolls, expand
early voting access, and deploy legal and volunteer resources to safeguard participation in
the democratic process; and
WHEREAS, her tenure also included advocacy to promote criminal justice reform, defend
freedom of speech, protect immigrant and reproductive rights, and train and empower
advocates across the State of Georgia to engage in public policy and civic leadership; and
WHEREAS, Andrea Young has also contributed significantly to the fields of public policy,
education, and leadership development through her service as an adjunct professor at the
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and through her work
as founding executive director of the Andrew J. Young Foundation, where she advanced
initiatives promoting global health, community leadership, sustainability, and civil rights
education; and
WHEREAS, her distinguished career has included service as a legislative assistant to United
States Senator Edward Kennedy, contributing to landmark policy efforts including the
establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and legislation addressing apartheid in
South Africa, as well as service as Chief of Staff to former Congresswoman Cynthia
McKinney, Vice President for External Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan
Washington, and Vice President of the National Black Child Development Institute; and
WHEREAS, she is an accomplished author and scholar whose work has contributed to
documenting and preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the development
of modern Atlanta, including her collaboration on the memoir An Easy Burden: Civil Rights
and the Transformation of America; and
WHEREAS, her leadership has strengthened civic institutions, expanded opportunities for
community engagement, and inspired the next generation of advocates and public servants;
and
WHEREAS, Andrea Young's retirement in Spring 2026 marks the culmination of decades
of dedicated service and a lasting legacy of impact on civil liberties, public leadership, and
democratic participation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Andrea Young for her extraordinary contributions to civil rights
advocacy, public policy leadership, and community empowerment and extend their sincere
appreciation and best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Andrea Young.