Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 485: Barker, Clarence "Ed"; condolences
Last action March 28, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Senate resolution honors the life of former state Senator Clarence "Ed" Barker, who represented middle Georgia's 18th Senatorial District for nine terms, and offers condolences to his family.
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 resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing Clarence "Ed" Barker after his death. It recounts his upbringing in Warner Robins, his nine consecutive terms representing the 18th Senatorial District from 1973 to 1991, and his community leadership roles, including president of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce and the Air Force Association. The resolution also notes his life after politics, including running a furniture business in North Carolina with his wife Janet, his involvement in President Jimmy Carter's campaign, and his role in bringing Rev. Billy Graham's services to Georgia. It formally expresses the Senate's condolences and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family. It does not change any Georgia law.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of former state Senator Clarence "Ed" Barker on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- States the Senate's regret at his passing and extends recognition of his decades of public service.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Barker's family.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the family of Clarence "Ed" Barker, who will receive a copy, and serves as a symbolic gesture from the Georgia Senate; it does not impose duties or changes on the general public.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no law. Its significance is symbolic and personal, providing formal public recognition of a former legislator's service and offering an official record of condolence to his family.
Key provisions
- The resolution recites Barker's biography, including his nine terms representing the 18th Senatorial District from 1973 to 1991.
- It resolves that the Senate honors his life and memory and expresses regret at his passing.
- It directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to his family.
From the bill
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Clarence "Ed" Barker and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Larry Walker, III (R, SD-20)
- John F. Kennedy (R, SD-18)
- David Lucas (D, SD-26)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
- Rick Williams (R, SD-25)
- Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
- Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
- Freddie Powell Sims (D, SD-12)
- Max Burns (R, SD-23)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
- Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
- Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)
- Shawn Still (R, SD-48)
Topics
- Georgia Senate resolution
- condolences
- former legislators
- Warner Robins