--- title: SR 547. Simpson, Shelly-Ann; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr547 cite_as: SR 547, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr547 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr547.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr547/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71997 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/sr546.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr548.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr547.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 547 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: - Sonya Halpern - Kenya Wicks - Tonya Anderson - Michael Rhett - Ed Harbison text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR547/2025 upstream_id: 2019458 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - veterans affairs - women veterans - Georgia Senate resolution - military service recognition --- # SR 547. Simpson, Shelly-Ann; recognize ## Text 25 LC 129 0463 Senate Resolution 547 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Wicks of the 34th, Anderson of the 43rd, Rhett of the 33rd and Harbison of the 15th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Shelly-Ann Simpson on Women Veterans Appreciation Day1 at the Capitol; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Shelly-Ann Simpson serves as the Executive Director for Field Operations and3 Appeals for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, the sta te agency created for the4 purpose of advising and assisting veterans and their families t hrough the complex process5 of receiving benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; and 6 WHEREAS, appointed in June 2022, she leads over 75 percent of t he department’s7 workforce as they assist veterans with navigating the VA Claims and Appeals process; and8 WHEREAS, she joined the United States Army Reserves in 1994, and was deployed as part9 of NATO’s peace keeping mission in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor/Joint10 Guard in 1997, for which she earned a NATO medal; and11 WHEREAS, she has served as the Department’s Women Veterans’ coo rdinator and the12 Department Service Officer for the American Legion and is a tireless advocate for veterans13 in the state of Georgia; and14 S. R. 547 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0463 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstandi ng contributions of this15 exemplary veteran are appropriately honored.16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body17 recognize and commend Shelly-Ann Simpson for the dedication, bravery, and sacrifices she18 has made to serve her country and extend sincere best wishes fo r her continued health,19 happiness, and success. 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed21 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Shelly-Ann22 Simpson.23 S. R. 547 - 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 honors Shelly-Ann Simpson, a leader at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, on Women Veterans Appreciation Day at the Capitol. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not 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 get benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The resolution recounts her career, including her appointment in June 2022 leading most of the department's staff who help veterans with VA claims and appeals, her service in the U.S. Army Reserves starting in 1994, her deployment to Bosnia in 1997 as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission, and her work as the department's Women Veterans' coordinator. The Senate commends her for her service and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide her a copy of the resolution. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Shelly-Ann Simpson on Women Veterans Appreciation Day at the Georgia Capitol. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Shelly-Ann Simpson. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the Senate. ### Who it affects The resolution names and honors Shelly-Ann Simpson personally, and references the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, the state agency where she works, and its role serving Georgia veterans and their families. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians; it is a formal, symbolic honor. Its practical significance is limited to publicly recognizing one state employee's military service and work helping veterans access federal benefits. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Simpson's role as Executive Director for Field Operations and Appeals at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, appointed in June 2022. - The resolution notes she joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1994 and was deployed to Bosnia in 1997 for a NATO peacekeeping mission, earning a NATO medal. - The resolved clause states the Senate recognizes and commends her for her dedication, bravery, and sacrifices in serving her country. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to her. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-04) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-04-04) - Sponsors: Sonya Halpern, Kenya Wicks, Tonya Anderson, Michael Rhett, Ed Harbison - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71997 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr547.md?full=1