--- title: SR 298. Bennett, LaVeda; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr298 cite_as: SR 298, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr298 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr298.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr298/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70959 date: 2025-02-28 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-12 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/sr297.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr299.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr298.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 298 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-28 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Tonya Anderson - Gail Davenport - Kenya Wicks - Michael Rhett - Ed Harbison - Freddie Sims - Derek Mallow - Harold Jones - Elena Parent - Randal Mangham - Chuck Payne - Nikki Merritt - Jason Esteves - Sally Harrell text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR298/2025 upstream_id: 1987860 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - veterans recognition - Senate resolution - Georgia veterans - community service honors --- # SR 298. Bennett, LaVeda; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 298 By: Senators Anderson of the 43rd, Davenport of the 17th, Wicks of the 34th, Rhett of the 33rd, Harbison of the 15th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending LaVeda Bennett; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, LaVeda Bennett has dedicated her life to service, demonstrating exceptional commitment to her country, her fellow veterans, and her community throughout her distinguished career and advocacy efforts; and WHEREAS, born in Chicago to renowned guitarist Wayne Bennett and evangelist Pravella Washington, she graduated from William Anderson Bass High School in Atlanta in 1976; and WHEREAS, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps a day before her 20th birthday, serving for 20 years and participating in major conflicts while excelling as a member of the All-Marine Women's Softball Team and the Commander's Bowling Teams; and WHEREAS, a tireless advocate for veterans, she has dedicated innumerable hours of her time and energy toward the Atlanta VA Women's Wellness Clinic, serving as the Volunteer Representative for Women Veterans, and she played a pivotal role in DeKalb County's proclamation of "She Served Too," recognizing the contributions of women veterans; and WHEREAS, she has amassed over 100,000 volunteer hours advocating for veterans, particularly women and homeless veterans, earning two Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards, five proclamations, and numerous recognitions for her dedicated service; and WHEREAS, a respected leader in her community, she has worked with government officials in DeKalb, Clayton, and Henry counties, served on many boards, and launched impactful community programs such as "Her Valor," "Watch Me Grow," and "Carey's Garden," which educate children and community members on gardening and sustainability; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend LaVeda Bennett for her exceptional service, tireless advocacy for veterans, and unwavering dedication to her community as well as extend the most sincere best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors. 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 LaVeda Bennett. ## 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 LaVeda Bennett, an Atlanta area Marine Corps veteran and longtime veterans advocate, for her military service and community work. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes LaVeda Bennett, who was born in Chicago, graduated from a high school in Atlanta, and served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps. The resolution highlights her advocacy work for veterans, especially women and homeless veterans, including her volunteer role at the Atlanta VA Women's Wellness Clinic and her part in DeKalb County's 'She Served Too' proclamation. The Senate formally commends her for her service and community programs such as 'Her Valor,' 'Watch Me Grow,' and 'Carey's Garden.' It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for her, but it creates no new rights, funding, or legal requirements. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends LaVeda Bennett for her military service and veterans advocacy work. - States the Senate's best wishes for her continued success but does not create any new law or funding. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Bennett. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors one individual, LaVeda Bennett, and references organizations she worked with such as the Atlanta VA Women's Wellness Clinic and DeKalb, Clayton, and Henry county governments. It has no broader legal effect on other Georgians. ### Why it matters Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights, obligations, or funding. Its practical effect is limited to publicly honoring Bennett's service and providing her a formal copy of the Senate's recognition. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Bennett's background, her 20 years in the Marine Corps, and her volunteer advocacy for veterans. - The resolved clause formally commends her for her service, advocacy, and community dedication. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Bennett. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-28) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-02-28) - Sponsors: Tonya Anderson, Gail Davenport, Kenya Wicks, Michael Rhett, Ed Harbison, Freddie Sims, Derek Mallow, Harold Jones, Elena Parent, Randal Mangham, Chuck Payne, Nikki Merritt, Jason Esteves, Sally Harrell - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70959 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr298.md?full=1