--- title: SR 913. Howard, Debra; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr913 cite_as: SR 913, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr913 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr913.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr913/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73914 date: 2026-03-06 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/sr912.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr914.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr913.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 913 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-06 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Jaha Howard - Donzella James - Michael Rhett - Tonya Anderson - Gail Davenport text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR913/2025 upstream_id: 2129475 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Senate resolution - community recognition - Smyrna Georgia - ceremonial honors --- # SR 913. Howard, Debra; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 913 By: Senators Howard of the 35th, James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Anderson of the 43rd and Davenport of the 17th A RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating Debra Howard; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Debra Howard was born on March 5, 1951, and this year she enjoys the delightful distinction of celebrating her 75th birthday; and WHEREAS, following her retirement after a 36-year career as a human resources manager with Consolidated Edison Company in New York City, Debra Howard and her husband, Nathaniel, relocated to Smyrna, Georgia, in December 2012, where they have since made their home in the Vinings community; and WHEREAS, she is an active and devoted member of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia, where she serves faithfully with the Golden Agers' Ministry and represents the church in collaborative efforts within the AME district; and WHEREAS, she has consistently extended her service beyond her church, dedicating her time to community volunteerism, jobseeker coaching, civic engagement within her homeowners association, advocacy for individuals with mental disabilities through her leadership with NAMI Cobb, and support for educational opportunity through her involvement with POSSE Atlanta; and WHEREAS, a kind and generous person, Debra Howard brings joy and happiness to her family and to the many friends and neighbors who have the great pleasure of knowing her; and WHEREAS, she has witnessed a dramatic change in the world over the course of her lifetime, and we salute her contributions to its progress through her tireless efforts on behalf of her community and extended family; and WHEREAS, by the example Debra Howard has made of her life, she makes this world a better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and proper that she be appropriately honored during this very special and memorable time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend Debra Howard for her unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to the members of her family and community; congratulate her on the remarkable occasion of her 75th birthday; and extend their 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 Debra Howard. ## 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 commends Smyrna resident Debra Howard on her 75th birthday, honoring her community service and career. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a bill that changes any law. It recognizes Debra Howard, a Smyrna, Georgia resident who turns 75 this year, for her career and volunteer work. The resolution recounts her 36-year career as a human resources manager in New York City before she and her husband moved to Smyrna in 2012. It highlights her church involvement at Turner Chapel AME Church, her advocacy for people with mental disabilities through NAMI Cobb, her work with POSSE Atlanta on educational access, and her homeowners association involvement. The Senate formally commends and congratulates her, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send her a copy of the resolution. ### What it does - Formally commends and congratulates Debra Howard on the occasion of her 75th birthday. - Recounts her 36-year career as a human resources manager with Consolidated Edison Company before retiring to Smyrna, Georgia. - Recognizes her volunteer work with NAMI Cobb, POSSE Atlanta, her homeowners association, and Turner Chapel AME Church. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Debra Howard. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Debra Howard, a private citizen of Smyrna, Georgia. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians, though it reflects the Senate's recognition of community and volunteer service. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect; it does not change Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its significance is symbolic, providing formal public recognition of an individual's life and community contributions. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe Howard's birth date, career, relocation to Georgia, and volunteer activities. - The resolved clause has the Senate commend and congratulate her and wish her continued health and happiness. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to Howard. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-06) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-06) - Sponsors: Jaha Howard, Donzella James, Michael Rhett, Tonya Anderson, Gail Davenport - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73914 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr913.md?full=1