---
title: HR 36. Ensley, Mrs. Oreatha Walker; commend
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/hr36
cite_as: HR 36, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr36
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr36.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr36/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74896
date: 2026-06-22
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/hr35.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr37.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr36.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 36
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-06-22
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Sandra Scott
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR36/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154459
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - commendation resolution
  - education
  - community service
  - Georgia House of Representatives
---

# HR 36. Ensley, Mrs. Oreatha Walker; commend

## Text

House Resolution 36EX
By: Representative Scott of the 76th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life, legacy, and service of Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley was born on April 20, 1943, in Moultrie, Georgia,
the sixth of nine children, and from an early age, she demonstrated the determination,
discipline, and leadership that would define her extraordinary life; and
WHEREAS, she began her professional career as a Physical Education Specialist and Sixth
Grade Science Teacher near Tampa, Florida, where she courageously stood alongside fellow
educators during a statewide teachers' strike advocating for fairness and improved
educational conditions, demonstrating her commitment to justice and professional integrity;
and
WHEREAS, despite losing her position due to her participation in the strike, Mrs. Ensley
remained steadfast in her calling as an educator, completing the school year teaching a
combined Fourth and Fifth Grade class at a Catholic school; and
WHEREAS, before the completion of that assignment, she accepted an opportunity with the
Los Angeles Unified School District and, displaying remarkable faith and courage, journeyed
H. R. 36EX
across the country in 1967 with a friend, neither knowing anyone in California nor what
awaited them, trusting that God would guide their path; and
WHEREAS, through determination, resilience, and faith, she built a distinguished career in
education, inspiring countless students and serving as a positive role model throughout her
professional life until her retirement as a respected educator; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ensley is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Chapter, where she
has exemplified the ideals of scholarship, sisterhood, and community service; and
WHEREAS, her commitment to civic engagement and public service extends beyond the
classroom through her work as a political activist, community advocate, and dedicated
volunteer, consistently striving to improve the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, she has faithfully served her community through the Ladybug organization,
numerous community service initiatives, and her leadership at the J. Charley Griswell Senior
Center, where she serves as President of the Advisory Board and continues to advocate for
the well-being and enrichment of senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 1974, she entered a loving marriage that has endured for more
than five decades, exemplifying commitment, devotion, and family values; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ensley is the proud mother of one child and has lovingly helped raise a
family that reflects the values of faith, education, perseverance, and service that she has
demonstrated throughout her life.
H. R. 36EX
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley for her
outstanding contributions to education, community service, civic engagement, and leadership
as well as extend the deepest appreciation for her lifelong commitment to uplifting others.
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 Mrs.
Oreatha Walker Ensley.
H. R. 36EX

## 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 formally commends Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley of Moultrie for her decades of work as an educator, community advocate, and senior center leader.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial honor passed by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing the life and career of Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley. It recounts her background: born in Moultrie, Georgia in 1943, her early teaching career in Florida and California, her decades in education, and her civic and volunteer work, including leadership roles with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the J. Charley Griswell Senior Center's advisory board.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House recognizes and commends her contributions to education, community service, and civic engagement, and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her.

### What it does

- Formally commends Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley for her career in education and her community service work.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial recognition only.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly names and honors Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley. It has no legal effect on the broader public, though it reflects recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives of her work in education and senior citizen advocacy.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It does not alter any Georgia statute or create obligations, but it provides Mrs. Ensley with an official, documented tribute from the state legislature that she can keep as a formal record of recognition.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses recount her biography, career as a teacher in Florida and California, and community involvement, including her role at the J. Charley Griswell Senior Center.
- The resolved clause has the House of Representatives formally commend her for her contributions to education, service, and leadership.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to her.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-06-22)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-06-22)
- Sponsors: Sandra Scott
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74896

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr36.md?full=1