Georgia CommonsSR 703: Phommasan, Phra Ajarn Maha Dam; recognize
Last action February 5, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan, a Buddhist monk who serves the Snellville area, and wishes him a full recovery after he was struck by a vehicle during a peace walk.
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 LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan, a spiritual leader at the Wat Lao Buddha Khanti Temple in Snellville, for his work mentoring elders and youth and leading meditation and Buddhist teaching sessions in the metro Atlanta community. The resolution also notes that in November 2025 he took part in a 2,300 mile 'Walk for Peace' pilgrimage with other monks, during which he was struck by a vehicle and injured on November 19, 2025. The Senate formally commends him and wishes him well in his recovery. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for him, but it creates no new rules, funding, or legal requirements.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan for his community and spiritual work in the Senate's own words.
- Extends the Senate's official best wishes for his recovery after a vehicle struck him during a peace walk in November 2025.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him.
- Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan, a monk at the Wat Lao Buddha Khanti Temple in Snellville, and reflects on the Gwinnett County Buddhist and broader metro Atlanta community he serves. It does not impose obligations on any other group.
Why it matters
The resolution has no legal effect and changes no Georgia law, but it gives official recognition from the state Senate to a local religious leader's community service and his recovery from an injury, which can carry symbolic and personal significance for him and his congregation.
Key provisions
- The preamble recites Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan's service at Wat Lao Buddha Khanti Temple and his role mentoring elders and youth through meditation and teaching.
- The preamble describes his 2,300 mile 'Walk for Peace' pilgrimage in November 2025 and the vehicle collision that injured him on November 19, 2025.
- The resolving clause has the Senate recognize and commend him and extend wishes for his recovery, health, and happiness.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to him.
From the bill
“Phra Ajarn Maha Dam Phommasan's resilience in the face of such hardship serves as an example of perseverance for our community and provides a powerful example of faith in action.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- David Lucas (D, SD-026)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
- Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
Topics
- Senate resolution
- Gwinnett County
- Buddhist community
- Snellville