SR884: SR884 Cooper, Jr., Aurelius; Art in The Paint founder; recognize and commend

26 LC 129 1293 Senate Resolution 884 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Albers of the 56th, Howard of the 35th, Jackson of the 41st and Wicks of the 34th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Art in The Paint and its founder, Au relius Cooper, Jr., for1 their outstanding community impact and service through art, ath letics, and youth2 engagement; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, Arelious Cooper, Jr., is a native of southwest Atlanta who has built a4 distinguished career in basketball, including work in the NBA a nd playing and coaching5 professional basketball in multiple countries, including the Do minican Republic, Spain,6 France, and Taiwan; and 7 WHEREAS, Arelious Cooper, Jr., has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to youth8 and community development, including service as a former Fulton County Youth9 Commissioner10 and as the current owner of two developmental basketball franch ises, both named Metro11 Ballers, competing in the Women's United Basketball Association and the United Basketball12 Association; and 13 WHEREAS, Arelious Cooper, Jr., has expanded the impact of athletics beyond competition14 by hosting basketball clinics for underserved athletes in count ries such as Australia,15 Germany, Lagos, and Nigeria; and 16 S. R. 884 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1293 WHEREAS, Arelious Cooper, Jr., is the author of a children's book, Cooper Shapes Up, that17 encourages healthy food choices and physical activity, and has donated more than 1,00018 copies of the book to children in the United States, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic; and19 WHEREAS, Art In The Paint has completed more than 70 public art and infrastructure20 projects, transforming over one million square feet of space, a nd has empowered21 communities by incorporating resident input into design decisio ns, fostering pride,22 ownership, and contributing to reductions in reported crime in surrounding areas; and23 24 WHEREAS, Art In The Paint has supported economic opportunity by collaborating with25 more than 20 small businesses and over 10 entrepreneurs through initiatives such as26 partnerships with Michelob Ultra, and has expanded its work beyond Atlanta to international27 projects, including in Zambia, with continued growth into additional cities.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 recognize and commend Art In The Paint and Arelious Cooper, Jr., for their innovative use30 of art and athletics to enhance public health, strengthen communities, and create meaningful31 opportunities for youth and families.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Art In The Paint and34 Arelious Cooper, Jr.35 S. R. 884 - 2 -