SR 243: Franklin, Reverend Lee C.; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia Senate recognizes Reverend Lee C. Franklin, the senior pastor of Mount Ephraim Baptist Church in Atlanta, for his religious and civic work. It describes his path from being licensed to preach in 1996 to serving in numerous roles within his church and community, including as a chaplain for Fulton County government and a liaison for the NAACP's religious affairs efforts. The resolution highlights his outreach to homeless individuals and people in the Atlanta Drug Courts system, as well as his creation of the Greater Atlanta Congress of Black Men, a network aimed at bringing Black men together to address community challenges. The Senate resolves to commend Franklin for his leadership and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide him with a copy of the resolution as a formal record of this recognition.

• Formally recognizes and commends Reverend Lee C. Franklin for his religious leadership and civic contributions in Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Reverend Franklin.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the Senate.

This resolution directly names and honors Reverend Lee C. Franklin. It has no regulatory or legal effect on other Georgians, though it reflects on institutions he has worked with, including Mount Ephraim Baptist Church, Fulton County government, and the Atlanta Drug Courts.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect on Georgians. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official Senate record honoring Franklin's decades of ministry and community organizing work, including founding a network aimed at addressing social issues among Black men in metro Atlanta.

• The resolution's whereas clauses detail Franklin's background, including his licensing to preach in 1996, ordination in 1999, and various ministerial roles.
• It notes his civic roles as National NAACP Religious Affairs Liaison and Fulton County Government Chaplain.
• It describes his founding of the Greater Atlanta Congress of Black Men and its first annual conference held in 2024.
• The resolving clause formally commends Franklin for his ecumenical leadership, civic affairs, and social action excellence.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Franklin.

1. 2025-02-24Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-21Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)Primary sponsor

• ceremonial resolution
• Atlanta community leaders
• faith leaders
• Georgia Senate honors