--- title: SR 300. Sims family; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr300 cite_as: SR 300, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr300 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr300.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr300/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70966 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/sr299.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr301.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr300.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 300 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 - Nikki Merritt - Jason Esteves text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR300/2025 upstream_id: 1987908 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Newton County - Black History Month - community recognition - local business - legislative resolution --- # SR 300. Sims family; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 300 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 Commending the Sims family for their lasting contributions to Newton County and beyond; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the Sims family has played an instrumental and historic role in the economic and social development of Newton County, Georgia; and WHEREAS, the family's legacy began with Cary Sims, who leased approximately 110 acres of farmland in the late 1920s to provide for his family, and on February 27, 1947, he overcame significant barriers facing Black landowners by purchasing the land for $3,000 in cash, establishing a foundation for future generations; and WHEREAS, Cary Sims' youngest son, Eddie Roy Sims, born on the family farm in 1932, served honorably in the United States Army after being drafted at the age of 19, courageously representing his country during the Korean War before returning home to build a career in logistics, construction, and automotive work; and WHEREAS, in the 1960s, amid the Civil Rights Movement, Eddie Roy Sims defied societal expectations by launching his own landscaping business that later expanded into grading, land clearing, and road construction, ultimately evolving into Sims Grading, a highly regarded company in the region; and WHEREAS, his wife, Mildred Sims, a pioneering entrepreneur, founded a successful janitorial business in the 1970s and managed it for over 35 years while also contributing to farming and community support; and WHEREAS, Eddie Roy and Mildred Sims were dedicated to mentoring Black entrepreneurs, providing guidance on financial literacy, business development, and self-reliance; offering financial assistance to aspiring business owners; and supporting local organizations such as the Newton County Senior Center; and WHEREAS, their son, Lanier Sims, has continued the family's legacy, taking over Sims Excavating Inc. in 1996 and growing it into a leader in mass excavation, overseeing projects spanning more than 100 acres across metro Atlanta; and WHEREAS, Lanier Sims has further extended his family's legacy into public service, serving as a Newton County Commissioner from 2011 to 2018, focusing on infrastructure, economic development, and improving the quality of life for residents; and WHEREAS, in addition to his elected service, he has held leadership positions as Chairman of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, Chairman of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Newton Hospital Authority; and WHEREAS, his advocacy has played a direct role in bringing over 15,000 jobs to Newton County and fostering sustainable economic development; and WHEREAS, committed to philanthropy and mentorship, Lanier Sims served a vital role in the creation of the Newton County Miracle League, ensuring that children with disabilities have access to inclusive sports opportunities, and he continues to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs and future community leaders; and WHEREAS, the Sims family exemplifies the values of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and service, having overcome historical challenges to build successful businesses, create jobs, and uplift their community for generations; and WHEREAS, in recognition of Black History Month, it is fitting and proper to honor the Sims family for their profound contributions to Newton County and beyond. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Sims family for their remarkable impact on Newton County, celebrate their contributions to economic development and community service, and recognize their enduring legacy of leadership and perseverance. 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 the Sims family. ## 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 commends the Sims family of Newton County for their multigenerational contributions to business, community service, and economic development in the region. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors the Sims family of Newton County, tracing their history from Cary Sims purchasing farmland in 1947 despite barriers facing Black landowners, through his son Eddie Roy Sims and daughter-in-law Mildred Sims building businesses in landscaping, grading, and janitorial services, to grandson Lanier Sims expanding the family excavating company and serving as a Newton County Commissioner. The resolution recognizes the family's role in bringing jobs to Newton County, mentoring Black entrepreneurs, and supporting community organizations like the Newton County Miracle League. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Sims family, but it does not create any programs, funding, or legal requirements. ### What it does - Formally commends the Sims family for their history of entrepreneurship and community service in Newton County, Georgia. - Recites the family's history, from Cary Sims' 1947 land purchase through his son and grandson's business and public service careers. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Sims family. - Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than legislation. ### Who it affects The resolution names the Sims family of Newton County specifically, including Cary Sims, Eddie Roy Sims, Mildred Sims, and Lanier Sims, as well as the Newton County community, the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, and the Newton County Miracle League mentioned in connection with their work. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians generally; its significance is symbolic, formally recognizing one family's business and civic contributions to Newton County during Black History Month as an official act of the Georgia Senate. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount the Sims family history, including Cary Sims' 1947 purchase of 110 acres of farmland for $3,000 in cash. - The whereas clauses describe Eddie Roy and Mildred Sims building landscaping, grading, and janitorial businesses starting in the 1960s and 1970s. - The whereas clauses note Lanier Sims' leadership of Sims Excavating Inc. and his service as a Newton County Commissioner from 2011 to 2018. - The resolved clause formally commends the Sims family for their impact on Newton County and their legacy of leadership and perseverance. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the Sims family. ## 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, Nikki Merritt, Jason Esteves - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70966 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr300.md?full=1