HR1275: HR1275 Coleman, Dr. Thomas L.; condolences

26 LC 129 0996 House Resolution 1275 By: Representatives Crawford of the 89 th, Mitchell of the 88 th, Miller of the 62 nd, and Kendrick of the 95th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman on January 31, 2026; and3 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the4 United States Air Force, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans for5 more than 25 years and serving in the Vietnam War; and 6 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman had a long and devoted professional life o f public service in7 Georgia, including as Chief of Staff to former DeKalb County C hief Executive Officer8 Burrell Ellis as well as more than 12 years with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice,9 where he served as Chief Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Program's10 Education and Youth Development Division; and11 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman was a former Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety12 and served for more than a decade as a commissioner with the De Kalb County Housing13 Authority, as well as with the Housing Development Corporation of DeKalb County; and14 H. R. 1275 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0996 WHEREAS, he also served as a board member of the Georgia Depart ment of Juvenile15 Justice, vice-chaired the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Board of Directors, chaired16 the 4th Congressional District of Georgia Congressional Black C aucus Scholarship17 Committee, and served on numerous civic and community boards fo cused on education,18 youth development, housing, and public safety; and19 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman's lifelong commitment to service earned hi m numerous honors20 including a DeKalb County History Maker in 2017 and 2026, a Lif etime Achievement21 Award presented during the administration of Joe Biden, and the Nathaniel Mosby22 Humanitarian Award; and23 WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Dr. Be verly Harris Coleman,24 and was blessed with two remarkable children, Jeffery and Donna ; and his wonderful25 grandsons; and26 WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern27 for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his28 family and friends were admired by others; and29 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation30 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he31 made this world a better place in which to live; and32 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Dr. Coleman will long be remembered for33 his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great34 fortune of knowing him.35 H. R. 1275 - 2 - 26 LC 129 0996 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that36 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman37 and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.38 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized39 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the40 family of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman.41 H. R. 1275 - 3 -