--- title: SR 576. Harden, Nicholas "Big Nick"; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr576 cite_as: SR 576, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr576 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr576.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr576/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72275 date: 2026-01-16 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 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/sr575.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr577.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr576.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 576 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-16 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Russ Goodman - Freddie Sims - Sam Watson - Carden Summers - Harold Jones - David Lucas - Matt Brass - Billy Hickman - Lee Anderson - Sonya Halpern - Timothy Bearden - Drew Echols - Chuck Hufstetler - Frank Ginn - Chuck Payne - Donzella James - RaShaun Kemp - Tonya Anderson - Sally Harrell - John Albers - Kim Jackson - Clint Dixon - Bill Cowsert - Elena Parent - Kenya Wicks - Josh McLaurin - Marty Harbin - Mike Hodges - Ben Watson - Steve Gooch text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR576/2025 upstream_id: 2083549 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Valdosta - legislative honor - hurricane relief - community service --- # SR 576. Harden, Nicholas "Big Nick"; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 576 By: Senators Goodman of the 8th, Sims of the 12th, Watson of the 11th, Summers of the 13th, Jones II of the 22nd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Nicholas “Big Nick” Harden for his outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to the City of Valdosta and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Nicholas “Big Nick” Harden has long demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the citizens of Valdosta, Georgia, through his dedication to public service, community empowerment, and humanitarian relief efforts; and WHEREAS, during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in 2023, Mr. Harden mobilized resources, volunteers, and community partnerships to feed more than 40,000 citizens, with support from the American Red Cross, ensuring that families in need were cared for in one of the city’s most difficult times; and WHEREAS, in 2024, when Hurricane Helene struck, Mr. Harden once again rose to the occasion, providing over 2,000 hot meals to affected residents with the help of friends and community members, embodying the true spirit of compassion and service; and WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of disaster readiness, Mr. Harden hosted an Emergency Preparedness Town Hall to educate citizens on proactive measures and community resilience, helping Valdosta become better prepared for future emergencies; and WHEREAS, as a dedicated City Councilman, Mr. Harden has championed civic engagement, government transparency, and voter participation, inspiring many residents—especially those historically disengaged—to become more involved in local governance; and WHEREAS, through his beloved establishment, Big Nick’s Juke Joint, he has enriched Valdosta’s culinary and cultural landscape, creating a space that unites people across backgrounds through exceptional food, music, and fellowship while uplifting local and regional artists and musicians; and WHEREAS, as a Founding Fifty Member of the Southern Georgia Black Chambers, Mr. Harden has worked tirelessly to support economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, particularly among young and emerging business owners; and WHEREAS, through his mentorship in the SGBC CTAE Partnership with Valdosta High School, he continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders, offering guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for professional growth; and WHEREAS, as a business owner, Mr. Harden provides valuable jobs in the community, paying livable wages and promoting upward mobility among his employees, exemplifying ethical leadership and corporate responsibility; and WHEREAS, prior to his civic and entrepreneurial accomplishments, Mr. Harden brought joy to countless citizens as a radio DJ, sharing music, humor, and connection across the airwaves; and WHEREAS, through his kindness, warmth, and unwavering commitment to community, Nicholas “Big Nick” Harden has become a beloved leader, mentor, and hometown hero, making Valdosta a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate city. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Nicholas “Big Nick” Harden for his exceptional leadership, humanitarian spirit, and outstanding service to the citizens of Valdosta and the State of Georgia, and extend their heartfelt best wishes for his continued success and happiness. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Nicholas “Big Nick” Harden. ## 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 formally recognizes Valdosta City Councilman Nicholas "Big Nick" Harden for disaster relief efforts, civic leadership, and community and business contributions. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate honoring Nicholas "Big Nick" Harden of Valdosta. It does not change any Georgia law; instead it formally states the Senate's recognition of his community work. The resolution cites his efforts feeding tens of thousands of people after Hurricane Idalia and Hurricane Helene, his work hosting an emergency preparedness town hall, his service as a Valdosta City Councilman, his ownership of Big Nick's Juke Joint, his role in the Southern Georgia Black Chambers, his mentorship of Valdosta High School students, and his earlier career as a radio DJ. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare a copy of the resolution for Harden as a keepsake. ### What it does - Formally commends Nicholas "Big Nick" Harden for humanitarian relief work after Hurricanes Idalia and Helene in Valdosta. - States the Senate's recognition of his service as a Valdosta City Councilman and his work promoting civic engagement. - Acknowledges his business, Big Nick's Juke Joint, and his role supporting entrepreneurship through the Southern Georgia Black Chambers. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Harden. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic honor. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Nicholas "Big Nick" Harden. It also references the City of Valdosta, its residents, the American Red Cross, the Southern Georgia Black Chambers, and Valdosta High School through his community involvement, though it imposes no obligations on them. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it does not create programs, spend money, or change any Georgia statute. Its significance is symbolic, giving official state recognition to one individual's community and disaster relief contributions in Valdosta. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses detail Harden's hurricane relief efforts, including feeding more than 40,000 people after Hurricane Idalia and 2,000 meals after Hurricane Helene. - The resolved clause formally commends Harden for his leadership and service to Valdosta and Georgia. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Harden. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-16) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-16) - Sponsors: Russ Goodman, Freddie Sims, Sam Watson, Carden Summers, Harold Jones, David Lucas, Matt Brass, Billy Hickman, Lee Anderson, Sonya Halpern, Timothy Bearden, Drew Echols, Chuck Hufstetler, Frank Ginn, Chuck Payne, Donzella James, RaShaun Kemp, Tonya Anderson, Sally Harrell, John Albers, Kim Jackson, Clint Dixon, Bill Cowsert, Elena Parent, Kenya Wicks, Josh McLaurin, Marty Harbin, Mike Hodges, Ben Watson, Steve Gooch - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72275 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr576.md?full=1