Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 833: Burns, Honorable Willie E.; recognize
Last action February 24, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Willie E. Burns of Washington, Georgia, for his public service and community leadership, including his time as the city's first Black mayor.
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 the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a law that changes any rules. It recognizes the Honorable Willie E. Burns of Washington, Georgia, listing his service in the United States Army, the Elberton Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol, as well as his 2003 election as the first Black mayor of Washington, Georgia. The resolution describes his work founding the Wilkes County Community Development Corporation, developing affordable housing, and building a multipurpose event venue in the city. It also notes his community involvement, including memberships in the NAACP and the American Legion, and his past leadership of the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare a copy of the resolution for Burns.
What the bill does
- Formally commends Willie E. Burns for his public service and leadership on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Recites his career history in the United States Army, Elberton Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol.
- Credits him with founding the Wilkes County Community Development Corporation and developing affordable housing and an event venue in Washington, Georgia.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Burns.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors Willie E. Burns, a former mayor of Washington, Georgia. It also references the City of Washington, Wilkes County, the Georgia Conference of Black Mayors, and the Secretary of the Senate, who must prepare the commemorative copy.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect and changes no Georgia law. Its practical result is a formal, public statement of recognition from the Senate, along with an official printed copy given to Burns as a keepsake of his service.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Burns's military and law enforcement service and his 2003 election as Washington, Georgia's first Black mayor.
- The resolved clause formally commends Burns for his public service and offers well wishes for his health and happiness.
- A further resolved clause instructs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Burns.
From the bill
“in 2003, he was elected as the first Black Mayor of Washington, Georgia”
“the members of this body recognize and commend the Honorable Willie E. Burns for his efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service”
Discussed in meetings (1)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
Senate floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24)
From 1:20:49 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate adopted SR 833 without objection, honoring a former mayor of Washington, Georgia. The presenting senator described the honoree as the city's first Black mayor, a retired state trooper and an Army veteran, and said the city's government complex had been named in the honoree's honor. A second senator offered recognition, and the honoree briefly thanked the chamber.
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
- Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
- Freddie Powell Sims (D, SD-12)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-9)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
- Nabilah Parkes (D, SD-7)
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-35)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Donzella James (D, SD-28)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
Topics
- honorary resolution
- Georgia Senate
- Washington Georgia
- community leadership