Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 547: Simpson, Shelly-Ann; recognize
Last action April 4, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Shelly-Ann Simpson, a leader at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and Army Reserves veteran, on Women Veterans Appreciation Day.
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 ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Shelly-Ann Simpson, who serves as Executive Director for Field Operations and Appeals at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, the state agency that helps veterans and their families obtain benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The resolution recounts her career, including her 1994 enlistment in the Army Reserves, her 1997 deployment to Bosnia as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission, and her work as the department's Women Veterans coordinator. The Senate resolves to commend her service and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide her a copy of the resolution.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Shelly-Ann Simpson for her military service and work at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Simpson.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the Senate.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Shelly-Ann Simpson and describes her role at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, an agency that assists veterans and their families with federal VA benefits claims.
Why it matters
The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians generally; it is a public honor. Its practical significance is limited to formally recognizing one individual's military and public service record in the Senate's official record.
Key provisions
- The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) describes Simpson's role since June 2022 leading over 75 percent of the department's workforce on VA claims and appeals.
- The preamble notes her 1994 enlistment in the Army Reserves and 1997 deployment to Bosnia under Operation Joint Endeavor/Joint Guard, for which she earned a NATO medal.
- The resolving clause formally commends Simpson for her dedication, bravery, and sacrifices in service to her country.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Simpson.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize and commend Shelly-Ann Simpson for the dedication, bravery, and sacrifices she has made to serve her country”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
Topics
- veterans affairs
- Women Veterans Appreciation Day
- Georgia Senate resolution
- military service recognition