Georgia CommonsHR 5: Holden, Benjamin A.; condolences
Last action June 17, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life of journalist and Columbus community leader Benjamin A. Holden, who died on June 10, 2026, and offers condolences to his family.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia House of Representatives marking the death of Benjamin A. Holden, a journalist who worked for The Wall Street Journal and later served as executive editor of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer from 2004 to 2010. It recounts his career covering major legal cases, his work on press freedom and judicial transparency through the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for the Courts & Media, and his founding of Columbus Scholars Inc., a nonprofit that has raised over $1 million for disadvantaged students. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally expresses the House's sympathy for Holden's passing and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family, including his wife Melanie Slaton and daughter Joy Holden.
What the bill does
- Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' regret over the death of Benjamin A. Holden on June 10, 2026.
- Recounts Holden's journalism career and his tenure as executive editor of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer from 2004 to 2010.
- Recognizes his founding of Columbus Scholars Inc., a scholarship nonprofit for economically disadvantaged students.
- Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Holden's family.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Benjamin A. Holden's family, including his wife Melanie Slaton and daughter Joy Holden. It also reflects recognition for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus Scholars Inc., and the broader Columbus and Chattahoochee Valley community he served.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia statute. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official record of appreciation for Holden's journalism and community work into the Georgia House's records and provides his family a formal memorial from the state legislature.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses detail Holden's career, including his time at The Wall Street Journal and as executive editor of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
- The resolved clause has the House join in honoring Holden's memory and expressing regret at his passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to Holden's family.
From the bill
“the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Benjamin A. Holden and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
- Vance Smith (R, HD-138)
- Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
- Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
- Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
Topics
- memorial resolution
- Georgia journalism
- Columbus Georgia
- Georgia House of Representatives