SR 1045: Young, Andrea; recognize and commend

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 of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Andrea Young has devoted her life and career to the advancement of civil and human rights, demonstrating distinguished leadership, public service, and an unwavering commitment to justice for the people of Georgia and the nation; and

WHEREAS, since assuming leadership of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia in January 2017, she has guided the organization in expanding its impact across legal advocacy, public policy, civic engagement, and community education, strengthening its role as a leading defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties; and

WHEREAS, under her leadership, the ACLU of Georgia worked to protect voting rights, including efforts to prevent the improper removal of registered voters from the rolls, expand early voting access, and deploy legal and volunteer resources to safeguard participation in the democratic process; and

WHEREAS, her tenure also included advocacy to promote criminal justice reform, defend freedom of speech, protect immigrant and reproductive rights, and train and empower advocates across the State of Georgia to engage in public policy and civic leadership; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Young has also contributed significantly to the fields of public policy, education, and leadership development through her service as an adjunct professor at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and through her work as founding executive director of the Andrew J. Young Foundation, where she advanced initiatives promoting global health, community leadership, sustainability, and civil rights education; and

WHEREAS, her distinguished career has included service as a legislative assistant to United States Senator Edward Kennedy, contributing to landmark policy efforts including the establishment of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and legislation addressing apartheid in South Africa, as well as service as Chief of Staff to former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Vice President for External Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, and Vice President of the National Black Child Development Institute; and

WHEREAS, she is an accomplished author and scholar whose work has contributed to documenting and preserving the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the development of modern Atlanta, including her collaboration on the memoir An Easy Burden: Civil Rights and the Transformation of America; and

WHEREAS, her leadership has strengthened civic institutions, expanded opportunities for community engagement, and inspired the next generation of advocates and public servants; and

WHEREAS, Andrea Young's retirement in Spring 2026 marks the culmination of decades of dedicated service and a lasting legacy of impact on civil liberties, public leadership, and democratic participation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend Andrea Young for her extraordinary contributions to civil rights advocacy, public policy leadership, and community empowerment and extend their sincere appreciation and best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in her future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Andrea Young.