--- title: SR 869. Newton, Mayor Craig L. recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr869 cite_as: SR 869, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr869 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr869.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr869/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73696 date: 2026-02-26 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/sr868.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr870.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr869.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 869 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-02-26 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Nikki Merritt - Elena Parent - Kim Jackson - Kenya Wicks - Michael Rhett - Tonya Anderson - Josh McLaurin - Sonya Halpern - Emanuel Jones - Jaha Howard - Kay Kirkpatrick - Clint Dixon - Chuck Payne - David Lucas - Harold Jones - Shawn Still - Bill Cowsert text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR869/2025 upstream_id: 2124792 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Norcross - Gwinnett County - local government - ceremonial resolution --- # SR 869. Newton, Mayor Craig L. recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 869 By: Senators Parkes of the 7th, Merritt of the 9th, Parent of the 44th, Jackson of the 41st, Wicks of the 34th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Mayor Craig L. Newton; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Mayor Craig L. Newton, of Norcross, Georgia, has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that he has played in leadership and his deep personal commitment to the welfare of the citizens of Georgia; and WHEREAS, in November 2017, Mayor Newton made history as the first African American mayor elected in Gwinnett County; and WHEREAS, he is currently the longest serving Black mayor in Norcross's history; and WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Norcross, Mayor Newton has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community; and WHEREAS, he has served the City of Norcross for over 20 years, including as Mayor Pro Tem on the Norcross City Council as well as numerous prestigious positions with local and regional boards; and WHEREAS, Mayor Newton's significant organizational and leadership talents, remarkable patience and diplomacy, keen sense of vision, and sensitivity to the needs of the citizens of this state have earned him the respect and admiration of all who know him; and WHEREAS, he is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Mayor Craig L. Newton for his efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness. 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 Mayor Craig L. Newton. ## 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 recognizes Craig L. Newton, the Mayor of Norcross, Georgia, for his decades of public service and his history as the city's first African American and longest serving Black mayor. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial honor passed by the Georgia Senate. It does not change any law. Instead, it formally recognizes Mayor Craig L. Newton of Norcross for his career in local government, including his election in November 2017 as the first African American mayor in Gwinnett County history and his status as the longest serving Black mayor in Norcross's history. The resolution recounts his more than 20 years of service to the City of Norcross, including as Mayor Pro Tem on the Norcross City Council, and praises his leadership and character. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for delivery to Mayor Newton as a keepsake. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Mayor Craig L. Newton of Norcross for his public service to Georgia. - States that Newton was the first African American mayor elected in Gwinnett County, in November 2017. - Notes that Newton is currently the longest serving Black mayor in Norcross's history. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Mayor Newton. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Mayor Craig L. Newton of Norcross. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with preparing a copy for him. It has no broader legal effect on other Georgians. ### Why it matters This is a symbolic honor rather than a change to Georgia law. Its practical effect is limited to an official Senate record and a printed copy given to Mayor Newton, publicly acknowledging his tenure and his historic election in Gwinnett County. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Newton's background, including his 2017 election as Gwinnett County's first African American mayor and his over 20 years serving the City of Norcross. - The resolving clause formally commends Newton for his public service and extends well wishes for continued health and happiness. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide Newton with an official copy of the resolution. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-02-26) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-02-26) - Sponsors: Nabilah Islam Parkes, Nikki Merritt, Elena Parent, Kim Jackson, Kenya Wicks, Michael Rhett, Tonya Anderson, Josh McLaurin, Sonya Halpern, Emanuel Jones, Jaha Howard, Kay Kirkpatrick, Clint Dixon, Chuck Payne, David Lucas, Harold Jones, Shawn Still, Bill Cowsert - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73696 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr869.md?full=1