Georgia CommonsSR 859: Edwards, Dr. Yolanda J.; recognize
Last action February 26, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes Dr. Yolanda J. Edwards, an Army veteran and founder of the nonprofit Her Waters, Inc., for her military service and community work.
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 resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. Instead, it recognizes Dr. Yolanda J. Edwards for her military service in the United States Army from 1983 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2007, and for founding Her Waters, Inc. in 2017, a nonprofit that runs fishing and fly-fishing programs aimed at expanding access to outdoor spaces for women, particularly women veterans and Black women. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the honor for distribution to Dr. Edwards. It carries no funding, penalties, or changes to Georgia statutes; it is purely a formal statement of praise and appreciation adopted by the Senate.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Yolanda J. Edwards for her military service and community leadership.
- States the Senate's praise for Her Waters, Inc., the nonprofit she founded to expand access to fishing and outdoor programs for women.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to Dr. Edwards.
- Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement; it is a symbolic honor only.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Yolanda J. Edwards. It also references her nonprofit organization, Her Waters, Inc., and the women, including women veterans and Black women, who participate in its fly-fishing and outdoor programs.
Why it matters
This resolution has no legal or budgetary effect on Georgians. Its significance is symbolic: it gives official Senate recognition to Dr. Edwards's military service and her nonprofit work expanding outdoor and fishing opportunities for women across Georgia.
Key provisions
- The resolution recites Dr. Edwards's military service in the U.S. Army from January 1983 to November 1996 and again from September 2001 to November 2007.
- It describes her founding of Her Waters, Inc. in January 2017 and its programs promoting fishing, mentorship, and environmental stewardship.
- The resolving clause formally commends Dr. Edwards and extends best wishes for her continued health and happiness.
- A further clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to her.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize and commend Dr. Yolanda J. Edwards and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness”
“encourages women, particularly women veterans and Black women, to say "yes" to fly fishing as a pathway to healing, leadership development, personal growth, and increased representation in outdoor spaces”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
- Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
Topics
- ceremonial resolution
- military veterans
- women in the outdoors
- community recognition