HR 1435: Aten, Judge Phinia; distinguish service and judicial leadership; commend

House Resolution 1435

By: Representatives Carter of the 93rd, Taylor of the 92nd, Hugley of the 141st, and Moore of the 91st

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing Judge Phinia Aten for her distinguish service and judicial leadership; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Judge Phinia Aten has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that she has played in leadership and her deep personal commitment to the welfare of the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, she has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of her time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of her community and state as evidenced dramatically by her superlative service as the Chief Judge of the Magistrate Court of Rockdale County; and

WHEREAS, in 2012, she made history as the first African American woman to become a judge in the Rockdale Judicial Circuit; and

WHEREAS, her judicial administration has meant increased court-to-community engagement, innovative educational opportunities, and exemplary judicial leadership demonstrated by her development and implementation of several unique court programs; and

WHEREAS, she consistently demonstrates a passionate commitment to best practices in court management through the promotion of cultural and intellectual public discourse on issues of justice and liberty as well as the fostering of civic pride and connection through the beautification of public space and support of trauma-informed litigation practices; and

WHEREAS, her use of evidence-based court tools such as family violence and behavioral health assessments as well as mental health stabilization protocols have helped the Rockdale Judicial Circuit experience an impressive reduction rate in recidivism; and

WHEREAS, Judge Aten is a national judicial leader; she was the inaugural president of NewRock Legal Society, a minority bar association serving Rockdale, Newton, and Walton Counties, and currently serves as District Five Director for the National Association of Women Judges; and

WHEREAS, she is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Judge Phinia Aten for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Judge Phinia Aten.