SR984: SR984 James Warren Spires Day; recognize March 15, 2026

This is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate. It does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it formally recognizes March 15, 2026 as James Warren Spires Day, marking the 50th anniversary of his entry into ministry in 1976. The resolution describes Spires' career as a pastor and teacher, including his current pastorate of more than 29 years at Hatley Baptist Church, and notes that friends and family will celebrate the milestone on that date. The Senate directs its Secretary to prepare an official copy of the resolution for distribution to Spires as a keepsake.

• Officially designates March 15, 2026 as James Warren Spires Day in recognition of his 50 years of ministry.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to James Warren Spires.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a purely ceremonial statement by the Senate.

The resolution directly names James Warren Spires, a pastor who has led Hatley Baptist Church for over 29 years, and indirectly acknowledges his congregation, friends, and family who are marking his 50 years in ministry.

While the resolution carries no legal or financial effect, it gives official recognition from the Georgia Senate to a private citizen's decades of community and religious service, providing a formal, documented tribute for the honoree and his community.

• The resolving clause formally recognizes March 15, 2026 as James Warren Spires Day.
• A further resolved clause instructs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Spires.
• The whereas clauses recount Spires' 1976 call to ministry, his pastoral career, and his over 29 years leading Hatley Baptist Church.

1. 2026-03-19Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)Primary sponsor
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)

• ceremonial resolution
• James Warren Spires Day
• Hatley Baptist Church
• Georgia Senate honors