SR807: SR807 Jones, Denise Olivia; recognize

26 LC 129 1182 Senate Resolution 807 By: Senators Wicks of the 34th and Anderson of the 43rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Denise Olivia Jones; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Denise Olivia Jones is a native of historic Selma, Alabama, the internationally2 revered birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement, whose s acred legacy of3 bridge-building, nonviolence, and moral courage profoundly shaped her lifelong commitment4 to justice, healing, equity, and harmonious human relationships; and5 WHEREAS, she pursued higher education at Alabama State University, a historically Black6 college and university, earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and7 Business Administration, and later continued her academic advancement by earning a Master8 of Public Administration from Troy State University (European R egion), grounding her9 creative, cultural, and humanitarian work in disciplined leader ship, public service, and10 organizational strategy; and11 WHEREAS, D. Olivia Jones honorably served the United States as a commissioned officer12 in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain, exemplifying integrity,13 discipline, and excellence throughout her military career; and14 S. R. 807 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1182 WHEREAS, during her military ser vice, she held influential cult ural and community15 leadership positions, including serving as President of the Society for Black Awareness and16 Cultural Achievement at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and as Co-Chairperson of the17 annual Black History Month Celebrations at Royal Air Force in L akenheath, United18 Kingdom, where she spearheaded programs honoring Black culture, heritage, history, and19 global contributions across two international military communities; and20 WHEREAS, as a United States Air Force veteran, she has openly confronted the long-term21 impacts of military service and trauma, including military sexu al trauma, and has22 transformed personal pain into purposeful advocacy, empowering veterans and survivors to23 move from caged suffering toward emotional liberation, holistic wellness, and renewed life24 purpose; and25 WHEREAS, she has contributed her voice, testimony, and leadership to numerous national26 and community organizations, including as a featured guest of "The Sandy Rodgers Show,"27 aired on Roku/Black on Demand streaming channel; the Armed Services Arts Partnership;28 Warrior Music Foundation; The Alchemy Sky Foundation; and Women Veteran Social29 Justice, where she served as an Ambassador; and 30 WHEREAS, additionally, she has participated in panels addressin g veterans' wellness,31 trauma recovery, and mental health, strengthening pathways to h ealing for countless32 individuals; and33 WHEREAS, she is an accomplished poet, writer, dancer, storyteller, and performing artist,34 whose lived experiences of interpersonal abuse, systemic harm, and unaddressed trauma35 inform her writings, performances, and public discourse, amplif ying the urgent need for36 compassionate, trauma-informed, community-based healing; and37 S. R. 807 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1182 WHEREAS, her own healing journey profoundly shapes her artistic practice, including her38 contributions to The Womb Song Project, which explores emotional, ancestral, and cultural39 "womb histories" as pathways toward generational trauma healing, particularly within Black40 communities and among women impacted by historical and contemporary violence; and41 WHEREAS, her literary and published works, including her co-authored book Strength in42 Service and her Library of Congress-registered poem "Let Us Build Bridges" – written for43 the 50th Anniversary of the Selma, Alabama, Bloody Sunday Remembrance and published44 in the 2021 Bridge Crossing Jubilee Newspaper – serve as vessels for acknowledging and45 healing historical traumas and carving pathways to a world of love and peace; and 46 WHEREAS, she is a seasoned international traveler and global ci tizen, having journeyed47 across more than 20 countries, deepening her understanding of humanity's shared destiny and48 reinforcing her commitment to cultivating a global culture root ed in compassion, unity,49 justice, freedom, and peaceful coexistence; and50 WHEREAS, the life's work of D. Olivia Jones reflects her profound belief that healing is not51 only possible but essential for the future of humanity and that love, when practiced52 intentionally, is a revolutionary force capable of transforming lives, communities, and entire53 generations.54 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body55 recognize and commend Denise Olivia Jones for her distinguished military service and her56 lifelong commitment to justice, healing, equity, and global community building.57 S. R. 807 - 3 - 26 LC 129 1182 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed58 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Denise Olivia59 Jones.60 S. R. 807 - 4 -