HR1711: HR1711 Bennette, Reverend Fred C., Jr.; honoring the life and memory; condolences

This resolution is a formal tribute from the Georgia House of Representatives marking the death of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr. It recounts his life story: born in Atlanta in 1928, service in the United States Army, education at Morris Brown College and Turner Theological Seminary, and his rise as a key organizer in the Civil Rights Movement starting in 1960. The resolution details his roles organizing the Rich's Department Store sit-in campaign, directing voter registration efforts, leading Operation Breadbasket for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and serving on advisory boards for political leaders and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. It does not change any Georgia law. It simply expresses the House's condolences and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

• Formally expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' condolences on the death of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.
• Recites biographical details of Bennette's life, military service, education, and Civil Rights work as an official statement of the House.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Bennette's family.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is a ceremonial honor rather than a substantive policy change.

The resolution directly affects the family of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr., who will receive an official copy, and reflects the Georgia House of Representatives' formal recognition of a Civil Rights-era figure connected to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the King Center.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it represents an official public record from the Georgia General Assembly recognizing Bennette's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and provides his family with a formal, government-issued tribute.

• The whereas clauses recount Bennette's birth, military service, education, and entry into the Civil Rights Movement after meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1960.
• The resolution describes his role organizing the Rich's Department Store sit-ins and leading voter registration efforts from 1961 to 1964.
• It notes his appointment by Dr. King as first director of Operation Breadbasket in 1964 and his later work with political leaders and the King Center.
• The resolving clause has the House formally honor his life and express condolences.
• A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

1. 2026-03-16House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-16House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-16House Hopper (House)

• Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)Primary sponsor
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)
• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)

• Civil Rights history
• legislative tribute
• Georgia House resolution
• Martin Luther King Jr. Center