--- title: SR 823. White, Colonel Rick; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr823 cite_as: SR 823, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr823 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr823.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr823/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73477 date: 2026-02-24 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/sr822.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr824.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr823.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 823 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-24 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Ed Harbison - Nan Orrock - Chuck Payne - Russ Goodman - Timothy Bearden - David Lucas - Tonya Anderson - Jason T. Dickerson - Kim Jackson - Bo Hatchett - Gail Davenport - Jaha Howard - Kay Kirkpatrick - Freddie Sims - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Derek Mallow - RaShaun Kemp - Michael Rhett - Sheikh Rahman - Randal Mangham - Randy Robertson - Ed Setzler - Elena Parent - Donzella James text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR823/2025 upstream_id: 2121443 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - veterans - military honors - Georgia Senate resolution - Vietnam War veterans --- # SR 823. White, Colonel Rick; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 823 By: Senators Harbison of the 15th, Orrock of the 36th, Payne of the 54th, Goodman of the 8th, Bearden of the 30th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Colonel Rick White for his extraordinary military service, leadership, and continued dedication to veterans of the State of Georgia; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Colonel Rick White, a native of Norcross, Georgia, honorably served the United States of America for 31 years in the United States Army, exemplifying courage, integrity, and steadfast devotion to duty; and WHEREAS, Colonel White enlisted in the United States Army Airborne Infantry as a Private in 1966 and, demonstrating exceptional leadership and determination at the remarkable age of 19, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Infantry Officer Candidate School in 1967; and WHEREAS, he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam for a total of 24 months of combat service as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Reconnaissance Platoon Leader in the 4th Infantry Division and as an Airborne Infantry Company Commander in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, leading soldiers with distinction in some of the most challenging conditions of warfare; and WHEREAS, over the course of his distinguished career, Colonel White commanded 13 units, including two brigades, two battalions, six companies, and three platoons encompassing Infantry, Special Forces, Aviation, and Recruiting units, reflecting his exceptional breadth of leadership and operational expertise; and WHEREAS, representing extraordinary bravery, skill, and commitment to excellence, he earned the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Aviator Wings, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and Master Parachutist Wings; and WHEREAS, following his retirement from active duty in 1997, Colonel White was inducted into the United States Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia; and WHEREAS, Colonel White continues to serve the veteran community as Board Chairman of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame, ensuring that the sacrifices and achievements of Georgia's military heroes are properly honored and preserved; and WHEREAS, Colonel Rick White's life and career stand as a testament to patriotism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to both nation and community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Colonel Rick White for his extraordinary military service, distinguished leadership, and contributions to this state and nation. 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 Colonel Rick White. ## 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 honors Colonel Rick White, a 31 year Army veteran from Norcross, for his military service and continued work supporting Georgia veterans. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Colonel Rick White, who served 31 years in the United States Army, including combat tours in Vietnam, command of 13 units, and receipt of honors such as the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Combat Infantry Badge. The resolution also notes his post-retirement work as Board Chairman of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for Colonel White, formally commending his service and leadership on behalf of the Senate. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Colonel Rick White for his 31 years of military service in the United States Army. - States the Senate's commendation of his combat leadership, unit commands, and military honors as part of the official record. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Colonel White. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement since it is a resolution rather than a bill. ### Who it affects The resolution directly affects Colonel Rick White, who receives the formal recognition. It also involves the Georgia Senate and the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with preparing and distributing the commemorative copy. ### Why it matters While the resolution does not change any law or provide funding, it gives Colonel White official public recognition from the Georgia Senate, and highlights the continued role of veterans' advocacy groups like the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame in the state. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses detail Colonel White's Army career, including his 1966 enlistment, Vietnam combat service, and command of 13 units. - The resolved clause formally states the Senate's recognition and commendation of his service and leadership. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Colonel White. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-24) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-02-24) - Sponsors: Ed Harbison, Nan Orrock, Chuck Payne, Russ Goodman, Timothy Bearden, David Lucas, Tonya Anderson, Jason T. Dickerson, Kim Jackson, Bo Hatchett, Gail Davenport, Jaha Howard, Kay Kirkpatrick, Freddie Sims, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Derek Mallow, RaShaun Kemp, Michael Rhett, Sheikh Rahman, Randal Mangham, Randy Robertson, Ed Setzler, Elena Parent, Donzella James - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73477 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr823.md?full=1