SR 245: Collins, Doug; commend

Senate Resolution 245

By: Senators Gooch of the 51st, Echols of the 49th, Anavitarte of the 31st, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Commending Doug Collins; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Doug Collins was nominated by the administration of President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to be the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, bringing his unwavering commitment to seek justice on behalf of, and in support of, the valiant men and women who served and are currently serving our nation as well as their families; and

WHEREAS, he attended North Hall High School in Gainesville, is a 1988 graduate of North Georgia College and State University, and obtained a master's degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Doug Collins has served the people of North Georgia and this nation with the utmost honor and integrity through the United States Air Force Reserves, pastoring Chicopee Baptist Church in Gainesville, representing Georgia State House District 27 from 2007 to 2013 while completing his law degree at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School, and becoming the United States Representative for the 9th Congressional District of Georgia from 2013 to 2021; and

WHEREAS, Doug Collins stood out as a friend to our nation's veterans and military families through his development of legislation that opened access to healthcare, massively expanded much-needed mental health service availability, and increased accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Doug Collins is a Colonel in the United States Air Force with decades of service to the military, including his deployment to Iraq, where he served in combat zones in support of fellow service members as a chaplain; and

WHEREAS, his legislative successes are highlighted by leading the effort to reform the nation's criminal justice system with the bipartisan First Step Act, creating reforms that have reached countless Americans and their families by enhancing public safety and reducing recidivism for nonviolent offenders; and

WHEREAS, during his service as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Doug Collins was a leader in helping shape national policy on many of the most critical issues of today, from criminal justice reform to intellectual property and guarding our constitutional principles; and

WHEREAS, his broad vision for the needs of veterans, acquired through his life as a military veteran, qualifies him to further the department's mission of delivering world-class care and support for our nation's heroes, and he is the first Iraq War veteran to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, he never misses the opportunity to promote initiatives that always place the safety, growth, and prosperity of our nation first.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend Doug Collins upon his nomination to the Department of Veterans Affairs and extend their best wishes for his continued service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.