--- title: SR 281. James, Talmadge; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr281 cite_as: SR 281, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr281 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr281.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr281/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70899 date: 2025-02-27 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/sr280.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr282.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr281.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 281 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-27 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Blake Tillery - Brian Strickland - Bo Hatchett - Mike Hodges - Drew Echols text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR281/2025 upstream_id: 1985879 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - legislative tribute - Georgia Senate resolution - Georgia House of Representatives staff - retirement recognition --- # SR 281. James, Talmadge; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 281 By: Senators Tillery of the 19th, Strickland of the 42nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Hodges of the 3rd and Echols of the 49th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Talmadge James on the occasion of her retirement; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Talmadge James has long been recognized by the citizens and leaders of this state for the vital role she has played in state and local government and for her deep personal commitment to the State of Georgia; and WHEREAS, for the past 25 years, she has diligently and conscientiously devoted countless hours of her time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of the daily operations of the Georgia General Assembly, as evidenced by her exemplary service in the Georgia House of Representatives; and WHEREAS, Talmadge James began her career with the House of Representatives on April 1, 1999, after previously serving as a session assistant in 1998; and WHEREAS, she faithfully assisted both Senate and House members during her service in the Governor's Floor Leader's Office, and she currently serves in the House Majority Leader's Office; and WHEREAS, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify opportunities for elected leaders, maintained an extensive network of contacts across state agencies and departments, and served with an unwaveringly cheerful demeanor; and WHEREAS, she has been united in love and marriage to her husband, Leroy, for more than 25 years, and she is a loving mother and grandmother to her two remarkable children, two wonderful stepchildren, and five outstanding grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Talmadge James has served with honor and distinction, and her vision and unyielding commitment to the Georgia House of Representatives will be sorely missed upon the occasion of her retirement on March 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, she is cherished by her colleagues under the Gold Dome, who count her friendship as a special experience they will always treasure, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that she be honored for her many contributions to this state. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Talmadge James for her two and a half decades of efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the citizens of the State of Georgia; congratulate her upon the grand occasion of her retirement; and extend sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness. 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 Talmadge James. ## 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 honors Talmadge James, a longtime Georgia House of Representatives staffer, on her retirement after 25 years of service. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing Talmadge James, a staff member who worked in the Georgia House of Representatives for about 25 years, beginning in 1999. It highlights her service in the Governor's Floor Leader's Office and later the House Majority Leader's Office, and notes her retirement effective March 1, 2025. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends James for her service, congratulates her on retiring, and wishes her well. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Talmadge James for about 25 years of service to the Georgia House of Representatives. - Congratulates her on her retirement, which the resolution states takes effect March 1, 2025. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Talmadge James. - Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a ceremonial statement of appreciation. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Talmadge James, a former Georgia House of Representatives staff member. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is directed to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. ### Why it matters This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its practical impact is limited to publicly recognizing one individual's decades of legislative staff service and providing her a keepsake copy of the Senate's tribute. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe James's 25 years of service, starting April 1, 1999, and her roles in the Governor's Floor Leader's Office and House Majority Leader's Office. - The first resolving clause has the Senate recognize and commend James and congratulate her on her retirement. - The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to James. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-27) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-02-27) - Sponsors: Blake Tillery, Brian Strickland, Bo Hatchett, Mike Hodges, Drew Echols - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70899 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr281.md?full=1