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HR 552

Commending Comic Kings.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Askew and 6 co-sponsors

A ceremonial House memorial honoring the lives and public service of two individuals, expressing condolences to families; purely symbolic with no legal, regulatory, or budget impact.

Bill text as passed House (HR552ER)
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Bill Summary · HR 552

Summary — H.R. 552 (Memorial / Congratulatory Resolution)

Status: Filed with the Clerk (Rep. La Shawn K. Ford) — Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Classification: House resolution (memorial/congratulatory)

Purpose

H.R. 552 is an honorary (memorial) House resolution that pays tribute to the life and public service of individuals and expresses the condolences of the legislative body. The version content provided includes text honoring two different individuals: Michael Ernest Sumner and Bettie Jean (Bettie J.) Jordan. The resolution contains no legislative or regulatory changes; its effect is purely ceremonial.

Key provisions

  • Formally honors the life, accomplishments, and community service of the named individual(s).
  • Expresses the legislature’s condolences to surviving family, friends, and communities.
  • Directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and make available an appropriate copy of the resolution for distribution to the family.

(No budgetary, regulatory, or programmatic provisions are included — the resolution is symbolic.)

Individuals memorialized (from the draft text)

  • Michael Ernest Sumner

    • Born Feb 12, 1958 (Nashville, TN); died Feb 22, 2025.
    • Education: Lakeside High School (1976), McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia (1980), University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law (1984).
    • Legal career in Atlanta area and Newnan; founded Sumner Meeker LLC (1996).
    • Served 16 years on the Coweta County Board of Education (5 years as chair); credited with support for performing/visual arts center, Georgia’s first technical charter high school, and senior tax exemption in Coweta County.
    • Longtime member of Central Baptist Church; active in choir, Bible study, and Sunday school; survived by wife Leah, three sons, and a granddaughter.

  • Bettie Jean Jordan

    • Born Feb 27, 1944 (Chicago); died Nov 4, 2025 (per text).
    • Education: John Marshall High School (1961); earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.
    • Nursing career spanning 30+ years with a specialty in dialysis; retired from Rush Oak Park Hospital.
    • Entrepreneur: co-founder of Shir-Bet Beauty Spa; community leader and founding member of “We Women”; active in John Marshall HS Alumni Association.
    • Known as “Auntie Bettie”; survived by partner Ivan Williams and family.

Who is affected

  • Primary: families and local communities of the honored individuals (the resolution is intended as a public expression of sympathy and recognition).
  • Secondary: legislative record — the resolution memorializes the individuals and adds to official House proceedings and archival history.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The provided legislative actions list multiple steps (introduced Jan 16, 2025; referred to committees; placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Calendar; adopted Mar 31 — Apr 1; filed with Clerk Nov 12, 2025).
  • Important discrepancy: the draft contains memorials for two different people from different states (Georgia and Illinois) and includes dates that conflict (e.g., an individual’s death dated Nov 4, 2025 appears after some adoption dates). Sponsor listings also appear to mix members from different jurisdictions. These inconsistencies indicate the text may be a compilation of multiple memorial resolutions or versions; consult the official legislative clerk or chamber journal for the authoritative version and correct sponsor/committee context.

Impact

  • Symbolic/ceremonial only. No legal, regulatory, or fiscal impacts. The resolution serves to recognize and record the contributions of the named individuals and to provide an official copy of condolences to their families.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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