HR1568: HR1568 Arnold, Mercedes A.; receiving the 2026 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award; commend

26 LC 129 1316 House Resolution 1568 By: Representative Jackson of the 165th A RESOLUTION Congratulating and commending Mercedes A. Arnold for receiving the 2026 Yellow Rose1 Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, in 1999, Representative Nikki T. Randall became the fi rst African American3 female elected to the General Assembly from middle Georgia, and over her 17 years of4 service as a legislator, she held numerous leadership positions, including chair of the Georgia5 Women's Legislative Caucus; and6 WHEREAS, every year during Women's History Month, the Georgia Women's Legislative7 Caucus recognizes outstanding women in Georgia who exemplify th e leadership and8 inspiration embodied by Representative Randall; and9 WHEREAS, Mercedes A. Arnold's dedication to service extends across local, national, and10 international boundaries; and 11 WHEREAS, as the leader of an economic boycott march through downtown Savannah and12 the organizer of impactful voter registration drives, Mercedes' voice and vision have13 empowered communities and strengthened democratic participation; and 14 H. R. 1568 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1316 WHEREAS, as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, and through her extensive15 community work in Atlanta, Georgia, during the 1980s AIDS pande mic, Mercedes has16 offered compassionate support to patients and families facing fear and uncertainty; and 17 WHEREAS, as a Field Director for the NAACP, she stood at the fo refront of advocacy,18 championing civil rights and expanding opportunities for those too often unheard; and19 WHEREAS, she serves in leadership positions with the Savannah H istoric Review, the20 Savannah Economic Opportunity Authority, and the Georgia State Advisory Committee to21 the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and22 WHEREAS, through decades of principled leadership and selfless service, Mercedes A.23 Arnold has made a lasting difference in her community and beyond; and24 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this25 extraordinary servant leader be appropriately recognized.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that27 the members of this body congratulate and commend Mercedes A. Arnold for receiving the28 2026 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award and extend best wishes for29 her continued success.30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized31 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution ava ilable for distribution to32 Mercedes A. Arnold.33 H. R. 1568 - 2 -