SR 421: White-Smith, Willene; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors Willene White-Smith, who spent 34 years managing the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting and Family Violence Programs, work that involved collecting crime data from more than 700 law enforcement agencies statewide. The resolution also highlights her education at Morris Brown College and her continued volunteer leadership there, including roles with the Women for Morris Brown College Inc. and several alumni and preservation groups tied to historically Black colleges and universities. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. It carries no legal requirements, funding, or penalties.

• Formally commends Willene White-Smith for her 34 years of service managing crime data programs at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
• Recognizes her educational background at Morris Brown College and her ongoing volunteer leadership in alumni and preservation organizations.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to her.
• Creates no new laws, funding, or penalties, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than legislation.

The resolution directly names and honors Willene White-Smith. It also references the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Morris Brown College, its alumni association, and several affiliated historically Black college support organizations, though it imposes no obligations on any of them beyond the Senate's own administrative distribution of the document.

The resolution has no effect on Georgia law, funding, or public policy. Its practical significance is symbolic: it places an official Senate record of appreciation on file and provides White-Smith with a formal document recognizing her career and community service.

• The whereas clauses detail her 34-year career at the GBI overseeing Uniform Crime Reporting and Family Violence data from over 700 agencies.
• The whereas clauses also describe her education at Morris Brown College and leadership roles in its alumni organizations.
• The resolved clause states the Senate's recognition and commendation of White-Smith and wishes her continued success.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to her.

1. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-19Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-28)Primary sponsor

• Senate resolution
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation
• Morris Brown College
• community recognition