SR973: SR973 Harrell, Chairwoman Carlotta; honor

26 LC 129 1299 Senate Resolution 973 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Strickland of the 42nd, Jones of the 10th and Davenport of the 17th A RESOLUTION Honoring Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell for her distinguished publ ic service, visionary1 leadership, and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Henry County and the State of2 Georgia; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, Carlotta Harrell was elected countywide in 2020 as Chairwoman of the Henry4 County Board of Commissioners and began her term on January 1, 2021, bringing to the5 office decades of experience in law enforcement, economic devel opment, and public6 administration; and7 WHEREAS, born in Georgia as the daughter of a pastor and civil rights freedom fighter, she8 was raised in a household rooted in faith and service, witnessi ng her parents advocate for9 equality alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Congressman John Lewis–an upbringing10 that shaped her lifelong dedication to justice, equity, and servant leadership; and11 WHEREAS, an Atlanta native educated in the Atlanta Public Schoo l System, she earned12 degrees in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from Bren au University in13 Gainesville, Georgia, and went on to serve more than twenty years in law enforcement in the14 State of Georgia before transitioning into community and economic development; and15 S. R. 973 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1299 WHEREAS, she was appointed in 2012 to the Henry County Water Au thority Board of16 Directors, which serves approximately 60,000 metered customers and manages a budget17 exceeding $72 million, and she later served as Chief of Staff t o the Henry County18 Commissioner for District V; and19 WHEREAS, for twelve years she provided consulting and project management services to20 the Georgia Conference of African American Mayors, assisting municipalities in identifying21 more than $300 million in infrastructure and economic developme nt funding and22 strengthening public-private partnerships throughout the state; and23 WHEREAS, as Managing Partner of The Harrell Group, a Women-Owned Small Business24 consulting firm, she has led strategic planning, organizational development, and operational25 improvement initiatives for municipal governments and private entities across Georgia; and26 WHEREAS, as Chairwoman, she has been instrumental in advancing Henry County through27 bipartisan passage of its first-ever Transportation SPLOST expected to generate more than28 $250 million for infrastructure improvements, the establishment of a Public Safety Real Time29 Crime Center, and the securing of $32 million in Federal Emerge ncy Rental Assistance30 Program funds; and31 WHEREAS, she serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission Board in her capacity as32 Chairwoman, has held numerous state and local leadership roles including State President33 of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women, State Public Policy Chair for the National34 Council of Negro Women, Vice Chair of the Henry County SPLOST C ommittee, and35 Executive Committee Member of the Georgia Democratic Party, and remains active in faith36 and community service as a Deacon of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church; and37 S. R. 973 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1299 WHEREAS, her leadership has been recognized statewide through h onors including38 Engineering Georgia's Top 100 Influential Women in Georgia, Atl anta Business League's39 Top 100 Women of Influence, Southern Crescent Women in Business ' Top 50 Women of40 Influence, and the Georgia Association of Black County Officials' Chairwoman of the Year.41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body42 honor and commend Chairwoman Carlotta Harrell for her outstandi ng leadership,43 distinguished career, and transformative impact on Henry County and the State of Georgia.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed45 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Chairwoman46 Carlotta Harrell.47 S. R. 973 - 3 -