--- title: SR 621. Wakefield, Ronald 'Ron' F.; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr621 cite_as: SR 621, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr621 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr621.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr621/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72465 date: 2026-01-28 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/sr620.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr622.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr621.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 621 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-28 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Ben Watson - Matt Brass - Kay Kirkpatrick - Sally Harrell - Drew Echols - Billy Hickman text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR621/2025 upstream_id: 2095194 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - legislative recognition - disability services - Georgia Senate resolution - state employees --- # SR 621. Wakefield, Ronald 'Ron' F.; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 621 By: Senators Watson of the 1st, Brass of the 6th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Harrell of the 40th, Echols of the 49th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield for his outstanding public service with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Ronald "Ron" F. Wakefield has long been recognized by the citizens of Georgia for his dedicated service and steadfast commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and WHEREAS, he began his career in 1982 with a program administered by Temple University in Pennsylvania, advancing from a direct care worker to supervisory and leadership roles, consistently demonstrating excellence, compassion, and integrity in the delivery of services; and WHEREAS, after relocating to Georgia in 2005, Mr. Wakefield served the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in multiple leadership capacities, including Case Expeditor in Region 3, Regional Service Administrator in Region 1, and Director of Field Operations, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, stakeholders, and the community alike; and WHEREAS, Mr. Wakefield's leadership has been characterized by vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to collaboration with individuals served, families, providers, and public officials, fostering innovation, quality, and excellence across the State of Georgia's developmental disability services; and WHEREAS, his educational background, including a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University and numerous professional certifications in developmental disability services, coupled with his experience and tireless work ethic, exemplify the highest standards of public service; and WHEREAS, Ronald Wakefield embodies the values and mission of DBHDD, which, together with its network of community providers, offers supports and services that help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities attain independence and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives; and WHEREAS, his career reflects a profound dedication to improving the lives of countless Georgians and is a reflection of the commitment, professionalism, and excellence that DBHDD employees strive to uphold; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that Mr. Wakefield's outstanding achievements, leadership, and commitment to public service be recognized and commended. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield for his outstanding public service with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. 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 Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield. ## 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 Senate resolution formally recognizes Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield for his career with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, honoring his decades of public service. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield for his career serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It recounts his work history, starting in 1982 with a Temple University-administered program in Pennsylvania and continuing after he moved to Georgia in 2005, where he held leadership roles at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), including Case Expeditor, Regional Service Administrator, and Director of Field Operations. The resolution does not change any Georgia law, create programs, or spend state money. It simply states the Senate's recognition of Wakefield's service and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for him. ### What it does - Formally states the Senate's recognition and commendation of Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield's public service career at DBHDD. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Wakefield. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic honor rather than a policy change. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Ronald 'Ron' F. Wakefield. It also references the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities it serves, though it creates no obligations for them. ### Why it matters This is a ceremonial recognition rather than a policy change, so it has no direct effect on state law, funding, or services. Its significance is symbolic, publicly acknowledging one state employee's decades of work supporting Georgians with disabilities. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Wakefield's career history, from his start in 1982 to his leadership roles at DBHDD after moving to Georgia in 2005. - The resolved clause has the Senate recognize and commend Wakefield for his service to DBHDD. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Wakefield. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-28) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-28) - Sponsors: Ben Watson, Matt Brass, Kay Kirkpatrick, Sally Harrell, Drew Echols, Billy Hickman - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72465 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr621.md?full=1