Georgia CommonsSR 259: Simmons, Reverend Vandy Carl; recognize
Last action February 26, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons of Stone Mountain for his ministry and community service, recognizing him as recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons, a Tifton, Georgia native who has served since October 2016 as senior pastor of Antioch A.M.E. Church in Stone Mountain, for his work in ministry, education, and community outreach. The resolution details his accomplishments, including church renovations, partnerships with local schools and parks, over $73,000 raised for community assistance, pandemic-era programs like a Virtual Learning Center and COVID-19 testing site, and various clergy awards. The Senate resolves to commend him and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide him a copy of the resolution.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons for his ministry and community service work.
- Documents his leadership at Antioch A.M.E. Church, including facility renovations and expanded accessibility.
- Notes his community outreach efforts, including town halls, a mental health forum, summer camps, and back-to-school events.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Reverend Simmons.
- Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia law.
Who it affects
The resolution directly honors Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons and references Antioch A.M.E. Church in Stone Mountain, Freedom Middle School, and Friends of Hairston Park as partners in his community work. It has no legal effect on the general public.
Why it matters
This resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It gives official state recognition to a local faith leader's community service, which can raise public awareness of his work but does not change any rights, funding, or requirements for Georgians.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Reverend Simmons's background, his pastoral role since 2016, and specific community programs he has led.
- The resolving clause formally commends him as recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to him.
From the bill
“embracing the mission of being "In the Community, For the Community," he has fostered strong partnerships with Freedom Middle School and Friends of Hairston Park”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
Topics
- community recognition
- Stone Mountain
- faith leaders
- Georgia Senate resolutions