| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3317 |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 406 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Summers of the 13th, Kennedy of the 18th, Watson of the 11th, Goodman of |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | the 8th, Gooch of the 51st and others |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | Honoring the life and memory of Charles M. "Buddy" Leger; and for other purposes. |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | with the passing of Charles M. "Buddy" Leger on February 28, 2025; and3 |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | WHEREAS, Charles M. "Buddy" Leger was born on June 9, 1931, in Knox County,4 |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | Kentucky, a beloved son of Noah Delbert and Uhla McKeehan Leger; and5 |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, during his extraordinary career, he dedicated more than 75 years to the6 |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | agriculture industry, leaving a legacy of impact on the watermelon and pecan industries in7 |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | Georgia and beyond; and8 |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, prior to establishing Leger & Son Inc., which continues to actively grow,9 |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | harvest, and market both watermelons and pecans, he served with the Federal State10 |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | Inspection Service, where he graded fruits and vegetables, and as manager of the Cordele11 |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | Farmers Market with the Georgia Department of Agriculture; and12 |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, Charles M. "Buddy" Leger held vital roles in the agriculture industry, such as13 |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Pecans, president of the14 |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 406 |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3317 |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | Georgia Pecan Growers Association, president of the Georgia Watermelon Association, and |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | the first president of the National Watermelon Research and Promotion Board; and16 |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, his expertise was recognized at the highest levels, as he was appointed to serve17 |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | on the Transition Team for Agriculture from the Reagan administration to the Bush18 |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | administration as well as on many state and national councils; and19 |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, he was the recipient of the National Watermelon Association Outstanding20 |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | Service Award in 1979, 1986, and 1990 as well as the University of Georgia College of21 |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Medallion of Honor Award in 2006, earning22 |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | induction into the University of Georgia College of Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2012; and23 |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife of 57 years, Marjorie, and the24 |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | two were blessed with four remarkable children, Susan, Sherrie, Maria, and James; and 25 |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Charles M. "Buddy" Leger will long be26 |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who27 |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | had the great fortune of knowing him.28 |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | join in honoring the life and memory of Charles M. "Buddy" Leger and express their deepest30 |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | and most sincere regret at his passing.31 |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed32 |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of33 |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | Charles M. "Buddy" Leger.34 |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | S. R. 406 |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | - 2 - |
|---|