--- title: SR 543. Beatles, Mother Willie Bell; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr543 cite_as: SR 543, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr543 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr543.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr543/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71985 date: 2025-04-04 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 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/sr542.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr544.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr543.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 543 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-04-04 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Nan Orrock - RaShaun Kemp - Jason Esteves - Sonya Halpern - Sally Harrell - Kim Jackson text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR543/2025 upstream_id: 2019440 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Senate resolution - community recognition - Thomasville - Georgia Senate honors --- # SR 543. Beatles, Mother Willie Bell; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3635 Senate Resolution 543 By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Kemp of the 38th, Esteves of the 35th, Halpern of the 39th, Harrell of the 40th and others A RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating Mother Willie Bell Beatles; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Mother Willie Bell Beatles was born on March 14, 1928, in Fayette County,2 Georgia, and this year she enjoys the rare distinction of celebrating her 97th birthday; and3 WHEREAS, the devotion, patience, and understanding she has demonstrated have provided4 the foundation of success from which her family members have developed and flourished,5 as evidenced by her 10 wonderful children, 20 outstanding grand children, 26 exceptional6 great-grandchildren, and seven magnificent great-great-grandchildren; and7 WHEREAS, she has lived in the Thomasville community for 68 years and has worshiped at8 First Mount Selah Baptist Church for 71 years, where she serves faithfully on the Mother's9 Board, advises fellow members, and remains active in every aspect of church life; and10 WHEREAS, this distinguished gentlewoman has given inspiration to many through her high11 ideals, morals, and deep concern for her fellow citizens; and12 S. R. 543 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3635 WHEREAS, Mother Willie Bell Beatles possesses the vast wisdom w hich only comes13 through experience and the strength of character which is achieved through overcoming the14 many challenges of life; and15 WHEREAS, a kind and generous person, Mother Willie Bell Beatles brings joy and16 happiness to her family and to the many friends and neighbors who have the great pleasure17 of knowing her; and18 WHEREAS, she has witnessed a dramatic change in the world over the course of her19 lifetime, and we salute her contribution to its progress through her tireless efforts on behalf20 of her community and extended family; and21 WHEREAS, by the example Mother Willie Bell Beatles has made of her life, she makes this22 world a better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and proper that she be appropriately23 honored during this very special and memorable time.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body25 commend Mother Willie Bell Beatles for her unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to the26 members of her family and community; congratulate her on the remarkable occasion of her27 97th birthday; and extend their most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed29 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Mother Willie Bell30 Beatles.31 S. R. 543 - 2 - ## 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 Mother Willie Bell Beatles of Thomasville on her 97th birthday and her decades of family and church life. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Mother Willie Bell Beatles, born March 14, 1928, in Fayette County, Georgia, who turned 97 this year. The resolution highlights her large family, her 68 years living in the Thomasville community, and her 71 years worshiping at First Mount Selah Baptist Church, where she serves on the Mother's Board. The Senate formally commends her for her service to her family and community and congratulates her on her birthday. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for her, so she has a keepsake of the honor. The resolution creates no new rules, funding, or penalties. ### What it does - Formally commends Mother Willie Bell Beatles for her service to her family and the Thomasville community. - Congratulates her on turning 97 years old and extends the Senate's best wishes for her continued health and happiness. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to her. - Creates no changes to Georgia law, funding, or regulations, as a ceremonial resolution. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Mother Willie Bell Beatles and references her family, including her 10 children, 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, as well as her congregation at First Mount Selah Baptist Church in Thomasville. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect; its significance is symbolic. It gives Mother Willie Bell Beatles and her family and community an official, public recognition from the Georgia Senate marking her 97th birthday and long service to her church and community. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount her birth date, family size, and 68 years of residence in Thomasville and 71 years of membership at First Mount Selah Baptist Church. - The resolving clause formally commends and congratulates her on behalf of the Senate. - A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to her as a keepsake. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-04) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-04-04) - Sponsors: Nan Orrock, RaShaun Kemp, Jason Esteves, Sonya Halpern, Sally Harrell, Kim Jackson - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71985 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr543.md?full=1