| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3157 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 259 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senator Mangham of the 55th |
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| 4 | 4 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 5 | 5 | | Recognizing and commending Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons, recipient of the Dr. Martin |
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| 6 | 6 | | 1 |
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| 7 | 7 | | Luther King Jr. Community Service Award; and for other purposes.2 |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, a native of Tifton, Georgia, Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons has dedicated his3 |
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| 9 | 9 | | life to ministry, education, and service to others; and4 |
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| 10 | 10 | | WHEREAS, since October 2016, he has faithfully served as the senior pastor of Antioch5 |
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| 11 | 11 | | A.M.E. Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia, continuing the legacy of spiritual guidance and6 |
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| 12 | 12 | | community outreach established by his predecessor, Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker; and7 |
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| 13 | 13 | | WHEREAS, under his leadership, Antioch A.M.E. Church has completed renovations to the8 |
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| 14 | 14 | | sanctuary, fellowship hall, restrooms, daycare, and food pantry as well as improved9 |
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| 15 | 15 | | accessibility with a newly paved and marked parking lot and new security systems; and10 |
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| 16 | 16 | | WHEREAS, embracing the mission of being "In the Community, For the Community," he11 |
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| 17 | 17 | | has fostered strong partnerships with Freedom Middle School and Friends of Hairston Park12 |
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| 18 | 18 | | as well as secured over $73,000 in funding to provide financial assistance and vital resources13 |
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| 19 | 19 | | to the community; and14 |
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| 20 | 20 | | S. R. 259 |
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| 21 | 21 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3157 |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Reverend Simmons has expanded the church's outreach efforts by hosting town |
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| 23 | 23 | | 15 |
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| 24 | 24 | | hall meetings, a mental health forum, summer camps for the learning-disabled, career fairs,16 |
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| 25 | 25 | | and back-to-school events that offer free haircuts and hair braiding for students; and17 |
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| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the church in securing Paycheck18 |
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| 27 | 27 | | Protection Program (PPP) funds to sustain full-time staff, serving as a Virtual Learning19 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Center for children of working parents, and operating as a COVID-19 testing site; and20 |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, his steadfast leadership and service have earned him numerous accolades,21 |
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| 30 | 30 | | including Clergy of the Year awards from Bishop Reginald T. Jackson and the Lay22 |
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| 31 | 31 | | Organization, the Best Pastor Award from Antioch Seniors in Action, the People's Choice23 |
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| 32 | 32 | | Award from the Sixth Episcopal District, and many more; and24 |
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| 33 | 33 | | WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to honor the outstanding accomplishments25 |
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| 34 | 34 | | and dynamic Christian ministry of this devout and pious man during this special time.26 |
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| 35 | 35 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body27 |
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| 36 | 36 | | recognize and commend Reverend Vandy Carl Simmons, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther28 |
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| 37 | 37 | | King Jr. Community Service Award, and extend sincere best wishes for continued success.29 |
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| 38 | 38 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed30 |
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| 39 | 39 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Reverend Vandy31 |
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| 40 | 40 | | Carl Simmons.32 |
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| 41 | 41 | | S. R. 259 |
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| 42 | 42 | | - 2 - |
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