---
title: HR 16. Brack, Elliott Earl; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/hr16
cite_as: HR 16, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr16
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr16.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr16/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74851
date: 2026-06-18
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/2026-special.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr15.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr17.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr16.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 16
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-06-18
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Arlene Beckles
  - Jasmine Clark
  - Chuck Efstration
  - Dewey McClain
  - Samuel Park
  - Billy Mitchell
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR16/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154274
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - condolence resolution
  - Gwinnett County
  - Georgia journalism
  - House of Representatives tribute
---

# HR 16. Brack, Elliott Earl; condolences

## Text

House Resolution 16EX
By: Representatives Beckles of the 96th, Clark of the 108th, Efstration of the 104th, McClain
of the 109th, Park of the 107th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Elliott Earl Brack; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia, the County of Gwinnett, and House District 96 mourn the
passing of Elliott Earl Brack, a beloved newspaperman, civic leader, and devoted citizen of
Norcross who died peacefully at his home on May 15, 2026, at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, born in rural Wilkinson County in 1935 and raised in Macon, Elliott Brack
graduated from Mercer University in 1957, was commissioned a United States Army officer
through ROTC, served his nation on active duty in Germany, and earned a master's degree
in journalism from the University of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, over a distinguished career spanning more than six decades, he served as a
reporter, editor, publisher, and executive, including as publisher of the Wayne County Press,
vice president and general manager of the Gwinnett Daily News, and associate publisher of
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Gwinnett EXTRA," earning scores of state and national
honors, among them best weekly editorial page in the nation in successive years; and
WHEREAS, he gave generously of his expertise as a visiting professor at the University of
Georgia's Henry W. Grady College and served for 33 years as chairman and president of The
H. R. 16EX
Red and Black Publishing Company, guiding that independent student newspaper to lasting
success; and
WHEREAS, as a chronicler of community life, he authored Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta,
an 850-page history recognized with the Award of Excellence by the Georgia Historical
Records Advisory Board, as well as 366 Facts About Gwinnett, and he wrote more than
10,000 columns, including those published in his online GwinnettForum from 2001 to the
present day; and
WHEREAS, his servant leadership touched countless institutions: he was the founding
chairman of Leadership Gwinnett and founder of Senior Leadership Gwinnett, president of
the Georgia Press Association, a 20-year board member and "Other" Award honoree of the
Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta, a Rotarian with more than 63 years of perfect attendance,
and a faithful communicant and lector of Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross; and
WHEREAS, through tireless philanthropy, he helped raise millions of dollars for the
Salvation Army, the United Way of Gwinnett, the Robert Fowler YMCA, and the University
of Georgia, leaving a legacy of generosity that strengthened the entire community; and
WHEREAS, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and
is lovingly survived by his wife, Barbara; his children and grandchildren; and a grateful
county that he served and celebrated for more than half a century.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Elliott Earl Brack, extend
the deepest condolences to his family, and commend his enduring example of integrity,
devotion, and community leadership to the citizens of Georgia.
H. R. 16EX
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Elliott Earl Brack.
H. R. 16EX

## 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 House resolution honors the life of Elliott Earl Brack, a longtime Gwinnett County newspaperman and civic leader who died in May 2026, and extends condolences to his family.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a change to state law. It recounts the life of Elliott Earl Brack, a Norcross newspaper publisher, editor, and civic leader who died at age 90 on May 15, 2026, after a career of more than sixty years in journalism and community service in Gwinnett County.
The resolution formally states that the House joins in honoring Brack's memory, offers condolences to his family, and commends his record of civic leadership to the citizens of Georgia. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for delivery to Brack's family. It does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute.

### What it does

- Formally states that the House of Representatives honors the life and memory of Elliott Earl Brack.
- Extends the House's condolences to Brack's wife, children, and grandchildren.
- Commends Brack's record of civic leadership and community service to the citizens of Georgia.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Brack's family.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names Elliott Earl Brack's surviving family, including his wife Barbara, children, and grandchildren. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is directed to distribute a copy of the resolution, and it speaks on behalf of the citizens of Gwinnett County and Georgia generally.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect; it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is symbolic: an official record of the legislature's recognition of Brack's life, delivered to his family as a memento of that recognition.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses recount Brack's biography, including his education, military service, and decades-long career as a newspaper reporter, editor, and publisher in Gwinnett County.
- The first resolving clause has the House join in honoring Brack's memory, extend condolences to his family, and commend his civic leadership.
- The second resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Brack's family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-06-18)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-06-18)
- Sponsors: Arlene Beckles, Jasmine Clark, Chuck Efstration, Dewey McClain, Samuel Park, Billy Mitchell
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74851

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr16.md?full=1