SR1045: SR1045 Young, Andrea; recognize and commend

26 LC 112 4071 Senate Resolution 1045 By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Jones II of the 22nd, Anderson of the 43rd, Parent of the 44th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Andrea Young upon her retirement as Executive Director of1 the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Andrea Young has devoted her life and career to the advancement of civil and3 human rights, demonstrating di stinguished leadership, public se rvice, and an unwavering4 commitment to justice for the people of Georgia and the nation; and5 WHEREAS, since assuming leadership of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of6 Georgia in January 2017, she has guided the organization in exp anding its impact across7 legal advocacy, public policy, civic engagement, and community education, strengthening8 its role as a leading defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties; and9 WHEREAS, under her leadership, the ACLU of Georgia worked to pr otect voting rights,10 including efforts to prevent the improper removal of registered voters from the rolls, expand11 early voting access, and deploy legal and volunteer resources to safeguard participation in12 the democratic process; and13 S. R. 1045 - 1 - 26 LC 112 4071 WHEREAS, her tenure also included advocacy to promote criminal justice reform, defend14 freedom of speech, protect immigrant and reproductive rights, a nd train and empower15 advocates across the State of Georgia to engage in public policy and civic leadership; and16 WHEREAS, Andrea Young has also contributed significantly to the fields of public policy,17 education, and leadership developm ent through her service as an adjunct professor at the18 Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and through her work19 as founding executive director of the Andrew J. Young Foundatio n, where she advanced20 initiatives promoting global health, community leadership, sust ainability, and civil rights21 education; and22 WHEREAS, her distinguished career has included service as a legislative assistant to United23 States Senator Edward Kennedy, contributing to landmark policy efforts including the24 establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and legislation addressing apartheid in25 South Africa, as well as service as Chief of Staff to former Co ngresswoman Cynthia26 McKinney, Vice President for External Affairs at Planned Parent hood of Metropolitan27 Washington, and Vice President of the National Black Child Development Institute; and28 WHEREAS, she is an accomplished author and scholar whose work h as contributed to29 documenting and preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the development30 of modern Atlanta, including her collaboration on the memoir An Easy Burden: Civil Rights31 and the Transformation of America; and32 WHEREAS, her leadership has strengthened civic institutions, expanded opportunities for33 community engagement, and inspired the next generation of advocates and public servants;34 and35 S. R. 1045 - 2 - 26 LC 112 4071 WHEREAS, Andrea Young's retirement in Spring 2026 marks the culmination of decades36 of dedicated service and a lasting legacy of impact on civil liberties, public leadership, and37 democratic participation.38 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body39 recognize and commend Andrea Young for her extraordinary contri butions to civil rights40 advocacy, public policy leadership, and community empowerment and extend their sincere41 appreciation and best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in her future endeavors.42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed43 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Andrea Young.44 S. R. 1045 - 3 -