Georgia CommonsSR877: SR877 Coffin, Tom; condolences
Last action March 3, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of Tom Coffin, a longtime journalist, labor advocate, and arborist who died at 82, and directs that a copy be given to his family.
In plain language
This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate honoring Tom Coffin, who died at age 82. It recounts his life story: co-founding Atlanta's underground newspaper The Great Speckled Bird in 1968, working in construction trades and as a crane operator, later earning a doctorate and teaching sociology at Georgia State University, serving as head field arborist for the City of Atlanta, and helping found the Georgia Arborist Association. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states the Senate's recognition of Coffin's contributions to journalism, labor organizing, and environmental stewardship, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Coffin's family.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and legacy of Tom Coffin on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Recounts his career as a newspaper co-founder, construction worker, sociology professor, and city arborist.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Coffin's family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a memorial resolution.
Who it affects
This resolution directly affects the family of Tom Coffin, who will receive an official copy, and reflects recognition relevant to people connected to Atlanta's independent journalism history, labor unions, and arborist and environmental communities.
Why it matters
While the resolution does not alter any law or policy, it serves as an official public record of the Georgia Senate's recognition of Coffin's work in journalism, labor organizing, and environmental stewardship, offering his family a formal acknowledgment from the state legislature.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses detail Coffin's biography, including co-founding The Great Speckled Bird newspaper in 1968 and his work as a crane operator and city arborist.
- The first resolving clause states the Senate's honor of Coffin's legacy in human rights, environmental stewardship, journalism, and organized labor.
- The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to Coffin's family.
From the bill
“Tom Coffin was a lifelong advocate for justice, equali ty, and the dignity of2 working people whose 82 years of purpose-driven life were marke d by what he often3 described as making "good trouble"”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
Topics
- Georgia Senate resolution
- memorial resolution
- independent journalism history
- labor organizing
- arboriculture