SR 973: Harrell, Chairwoman Carlotta; honor

Senate Resolution 973

By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Strickland of the 42nd, Jones of the 10th and Davenport of the 17th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell for her distinguished public service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Henry County and the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Carlotta Harrell was elected countywide in 2020 as Chairwoman of the Henry County Board of Commissioners and began her term on January 1, 2021, bringing to the office decades of experience in law enforcement, economic development, and public administration; and

WHEREAS, born in Georgia as the daughter of a pastor and civil rights freedom fighter, she was raised in a household rooted in faith and service, witnessing her parents advocate for equality alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Congressman John Lewis–an upbringing that shaped her lifelong dedication to justice, equity, and servant leadership; and

WHEREAS, an Atlanta native educated in the Atlanta Public School System, she earned degrees in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, and went on to serve more than twenty years in law enforcement in the State of Georgia before transitioning into community and economic development; and

WHEREAS, she was appointed in 2012 to the Henry County Water Authority Board of Directors, which serves approximately 60,000 metered customers and manages a budget exceeding $72 million, and she later served as Chief of Staff to the Henry County Commissioner for District V; and

WHEREAS, for twelve years she provided consulting and project management services to the Georgia Conference of African American Mayors, assisting municipalities in identifying more than $300 million in infrastructure and economic development funding and strengthening public-private partnerships throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, as Managing Partner of The Harrell Group, a Women-Owned Small Business consulting firm, she has led strategic planning, organizational development, and operational improvement initiatives for municipal governments and private entities across Georgia; and

WHEREAS, as Chairwoman, she has been instrumental in advancing Henry County through bipartisan passage of its first-ever Transportation SPLOST expected to generate more than $250 million for infrastructure improvements, the establishment of a Public Safety Real Time Crime Center, and the securing of $32 million in Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds; and

WHEREAS, she serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission Board in her capacity as Chairwoman, has held numerous state and local leadership roles including State President of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women, State Public Policy Chair for the National Council of Negro Women, Vice Chair of the Henry County SPLOST Committee, and Executive Committee Member of the Georgia Democratic Party, and remains active in faith and community service as a Deacon of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, her leadership has been recognized statewide through honors including Engineering Georgia's Top 100 Influential Women in Georgia, Atlanta Business League's Top 100 Women of Influence, Southern Crescent Women in Business' Top 50 Women of Influence, and the Georgia Association of Black County Officials' Chairwoman of the Year.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body honor and commend Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell for her outstanding leadership, distinguished career, and transformative impact on Henry County and the State of Georgia. 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 Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell.