Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 468: Watkins, Lottie; condolences
Last action March 27, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life and memory of Lottie Watkins, a former state representative and pioneering Black real estate professional from Atlanta, following her death.
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 the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes the life of Lottie Watkins, who was born in Atlanta in 1918, founded Lottie Watkins Enterprises in 1960 to support Black real estate professionals and home owners, and served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1980. The resolution states that the Senate joins in honoring her memory and expresses regret at her passing. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to her family. It does not create any new rule, funding, or requirement affecting the public.
What the bill does
- Formally expresses the Georgia Senate's condolences on the death of Lottie Watkins.
- Recounts her biography, including founding Lottie Watkins Enterprises, Inc. in 1960 and serving in the Georgia House from 1977 to 1980.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or ongoing obligation; it is a symbolic tribute only.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the family of Lottie Watkins, who will receive a copy of it, and members of the Georgia Senate, who adopt it as a formal statement. It has no regulatory or legal effect on the general public.
Why it matters
The resolution has no practical legal effect on Georgians' daily lives. Its significance is symbolic: it is an official state record recognizing Watkins' contributions to real estate, civil rights, and public service, and it gives her family a formal memorial from the Georgia Senate.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses recount Watkins' 1918 birth in Atlanta, her 1960 founding of Lottie Watkins Enterprises, and her 1977-1980 service in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- It notes a 2023 historical marker installed at the Lottie Watkins building on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in Atlanta.
- The resolving clause has the Senate join in honoring her memory and expressing regret at her passing.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to her family.
From the bill
“in 1960, she paved the way for Black real estate professionals and home owners with the founding of Lottie Watkins Enterprises, Inc.”
“she selflessly served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1977 to 1980, advocating for economic development, civil rights, social justice, and voter rights”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
- Carden Summers (R, SD-13)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-9)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
- Josh McLaurin (D, SD-14)
Topics
- Lottie Watkins
- Georgia Senate resolution
- civil rights history
- Black real estate professionals
- Atlanta history