--- title: SR 1060. Salem Bible Church; recognize and commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr1060 cite_as: SR 1060, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1060 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1060.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1060/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74514 date: 2026-03-31 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 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/sr1059.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1061.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1060.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 1060 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-31 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Tonya Anderson - Gail Davenport - Derek Mallow - RaShaun Kemp - Ed Harbison - Randal Mangham - Jaha Howard - Michael Rhett - Donzella James text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR1060/2025 upstream_id: 2139168 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - church anniversary - legislative resolution - Atlanta history - community recognition --- # SR 1060. Salem Bible Church; recognize and commend ## Text Senate Resolution 1060 By: Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Mallow of the 2nd, Kemp of the 38th, Harbison of the 15th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Salem Bible Church on the occasion of its 135th anniversary; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the seeds which were sown by the loving and humble efforts of the devoted original worshipers of Salem Bible Church have blossomed, establishing a rich tradition and history; and WHEREAS, founded by a faithful group of believers who first gathered in a small house on Hawkins Street in Atlanta, the church established a firm spiritual foundation under its first pastor, Rev. G. B. Fanning, and continued to expand under Rev. R. Dorsey, who relocated the church to Martin Street; and WHEREAS, under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Wilder and Rev. C. S. Jackson, Salem Bible Church experienced significant growth in membership, rebuilding its place of worship following a devastating fire and constructing a new church to accommodate its expanding congregation; and WHEREAS, since November 1963, Pastor Jasper Williams Jr. has led Salem Bible Church through a period of transformative growth, expanding its membership, establishing a new sanctuary on Baker Road, and developing impactful ministries, including community programs, housing initiatives, and additional campuses that have strengthened its presence and outreach; and WHEREAS, the members of Salem Bible Church have a sincere desire to serve the Lord and are wholeheartedly committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, the story of Salem Bible Church is one of triumph through the grace and sustaining power of God, and it stands as an immovable witness to the truth that God keeps His promise; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this enduring example of God's message of peace and love be recognized and congratulated for its innumerable good works rendered on behalf of persons in need. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize the rich history of Salem Bible Church, commend its 135 years of dedicated service to the Lord and community, and extend their warmest best wishes for its continued growth and success. 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 Salem Bible Church. ## 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 Senate resolution recognizes Salem Bible Church in Atlanta on its 135th anniversary, honoring its history and long-serving pastors. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring Salem Bible Church, which traces its origins to a small gathering on Hawkins Street in Atlanta. It recounts the church's history under a series of pastors, including its rebuilding after a fire and its growth under Pastor Jasper Williams Jr., who has led the church since November 1963 and expanded it with a new sanctuary, community programs, housing initiatives, and additional campuses. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally states that the Senate recognizes the church's 135 years of service and wishes it continued success, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the church. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Salem Bible Church in Atlanta for 135 years of service. - Recounts the church's founding and its history under several pastors, including its rebuilding after a fire. - Credits current pastor Jasper Williams Jr. with expanding membership, building a new sanctuary, and starting community and housing programs. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the church. ### Who it affects This resolution directly affects Salem Bible Church in Atlanta, its congregation, and its pastor, Jasper Williams Jr. It has no legal or regulatory effect on any other individuals, businesses, or government agencies. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal weight and changes no Georgia law or policy. Its significance is symbolic: it gives Salem Bible Church and its congregation formal, public recognition from the state Senate for over a century of community and religious service in Atlanta. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe the church's founding on Hawkins Street in Atlanta and its early pastors, Rev. G. B. Fanning and Rev. R. Dorsey. - It notes growth under Rev. C. L. Wilder and Rev. C. S. Jackson, including rebuilding after a fire. - It credits Pastor Jasper Williams Jr., serving since November 1963, with major expansion including a new sanctuary on Baker Road. - The resolved clause states the Senate's recognition and commendation of the church's 135 years of service. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the church. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-31) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-31) - Sponsors: Tonya Anderson, Gail Davenport, Derek Mallow, RaShaun Kemp, Ed Harbison, Randal Mangham, Jaha Howard, Michael Rhett, Donzella James - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74514 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1060.md?full=1