SR 497: Sumner, Michael Ernest; condolences

This is a memorial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recounts the life of Michael Ernest Sumner, who was born in 1958, raised in Decatur, Georgia, and became an attorney in Newnan after graduating from the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law. It highlights his 16 years of service on the Coweta County Board of Education, including work founding an arts center and a technical charter high school, and his decades of involvement at Central Baptist Church. The resolution's operative effect is limited to two things: the Senate formally expresses its regret at his passing, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family. It does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia law.

• Formally expresses the Georgia Senate's regret at the death of Michael Ernest Sumner on February 22, 2025.
• Recites biographical details of Sumner's life, education, legal career, and community and church service.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Sumner's family.
• Creates no new statute, funding, or penalty; it has no effect on Georgia law generally.

The resolution directly names Michael Ernest Sumner's family, including his wife Leah, sons Ernest, Stuart, and Thomas, and granddaughter Mary. It also touches the Coweta County Board of Education and Central Baptist Church, where Sumner served for many years.

This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic and personal, giving formal recognition from the state legislature to the contributions of a private citizen and providing his family an official memorial document.

• The whereas clauses detail Sumner's birth, education, legal career in Newnan, and 16 years on the Coweta County Board of Education, including five as chair.
• The resolution notes his role in founding the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts and Georgia's first technical charter high school.
• The resolving clause states the Senate joins in honoring his life and expresses regret at his passing.
• A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to his family.

1. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-6)Primary sponsor
• John F. Kennedy (R, SD-18)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-51)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-29)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-31)
• Larry Walker, III (R, SD-20)

• condolence resolution
• Georgia Senate
• Coweta County
• memorial resolution