--- title: SR 7. Simpson, David S.; condolences collection: bills id: 2026-special/sr7 cite_as: SR 7, 2026 Special Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr7 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr7.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr7/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74860 date: 2026-06-20 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/sr6.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr8.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr7.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 7 session: 2026 Special Session session_slug: 2026-special chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-06-20 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Nan Orrock text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR7/2026/X1 upstream_id: 2154268 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Georgia Senate resolution - Little Five Points - civil rights history - memorial resolution --- # SR 7. Simpson, David S.; condolences ## Text Senate Resolution 7EX By: Senator Orrock of the 36th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the life and memory of David S. Simpson; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the members of the Senate are saddened to learn of the passing of David S. Simpson on April 3, 2026, a man whose intelligence, wit, courage, and unwavering dedication to community left an indelible mark upon the State of Georgia; and WHEREAS, born in 1945 in the Normaltown neighborhood of Athens, Georgia, David S. Simpson was the eldest son of Dr. Hazel Deal Simpson and David S. "Dee" Simpson and exhibited from an early age the independent spirit, keen intellect, and curiosity that would define his remarkable life; and WHEREAS, at the age of 18, he honorably served his nation in the United States Navy as a courier stationed in Washington, D.C., demonstrating his commitment to public service and civic duty before returning home to Georgia; and WHEREAS, as a student at the University of Georgia, he became a prominent voice for student rights and civic engagement, helping shape discussions surrounding freedom of S. R. 7EX expression, political participation, and social justice during a pivotal period in our nation's history; and WHEREAS, throughout his life, he remained steadfast in his commitment to civil rights, grassroots organizing, voting rights, and social equity, lending his talents and leadership to organizations including Students for a Democratic Society, the Southern Student Organizing Committee, and the Southern Conference Educational Fund; and WHEREAS, his efforts contributed to meaningful conversations and actions that sought to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and promote justice throughout Georgia and the South; and WHEREAS, after making Atlanta his home, David S. Simpson became one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in the Little Five Points community, where he dedicated decades of service to local businesses, neighborhood organizations, public safety initiatives, cultural events, and civic life; and WHEREAS, in 1988, together with his family, he helped establish the Coyote Trading Company, a treasured Little Five Points institution known for celebrating Native American art, craftsmanship, and culture, which continues to serve the community today as Turtle Trading Company; and WHEREAS, affectionately known by many as "The Sheriff of Little Five Points," "The Mayor of Little Five Points," and later the self-appointed "Ambassador to Little Five Points," he played a vital role in revitalizing the Little Five Points Halloween Festival, served as Vice President of the Little Five Points Business Association, helped establish the Little Five Points Police Patrol, and worked tirelessly to strengthen the community he loved; and S. R. 7EX WHEREAS, beyond his public accomplishments, David S. Simpson will be remembered for his generosity, loyalty, compassion, sharp wit, and extraordinary ability to bring people together in friendship, laughter, and fellowship; and WHEREAS, although words alone cannot fully convey the profound loss felt by those who knew and loved him, the legacy of David S. Simpson will endure through the lives he touched, the causes he championed, and the community he helped build. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend the life and memory of David S. Simpson and express their deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all those who were blessed to know him. 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 the family of David S. Simpson. S. R. 7EX ## 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 formally honors the life of David S. Simpson, a longtime Little Five Points community figure and civil rights era activist, who died on April 3, 2026. ### Plain-language summary This is a memorial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a law that changes policy. It recognizes David S. Simpson, who was born in Athens in 1945, served in the United States Navy, and was active in civil rights and student organizing groups during the 1960s. He later moved to Atlanta and became a well known figure in the Little Five Points neighborhood, helping start the Coyote Trading Company (now Turtle Trading Company) and taking part in neighborhood safety and business groups. The resolution states that the Senate recognizes and commends his life and memory and expresses sympathy to his family and friends. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for his family. It does not create any new rule, program, or funding. ### What it does - Formally states that the Georgia Senate recognizes and commends the life and memory of David S. Simpson. - Expresses the Senate's sympathy to Simpson's family, friends, and community. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Simpson's family. - Recounts biographical details, including his Navy service, civil rights era activism, and role in the Little Five Points community, without enacting any change to Georgia law. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names David S. Simpson's family and friends, as well as the Little Five Points community and organizations he was part of, such as the Coyote/Turtle Trading Company and the Little Five Points Business Association. It has no broader regulatory effect on other Georgians. ### Why it matters The resolution carries symbolic and ceremonial weight rather than legal effect. It provides an official Senate record honoring a community figure's contributions and gives his family a formal keepsake document, but it does not change any statute, funding, or requirement in Georgia. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Simpson's biography, including his birth in Athens in 1945, Navy service, and civil rights era activism with groups like Students for a Democratic Society. - The resolved clause states the Senate recognizes and commends his life and memory and extends sympathy to his family and friends. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to Simpson's family. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-06-20) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-06-20) - Sponsors: Nan Orrock - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74860 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr7.md?full=1