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SR 421

MEMORIAL-BG RICHARD NORTHERN

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jil Tracy

A ceremonial Senate resolution honors Willene White-Smith for public service and memorializes Brig. Gen. Richard E. Northern, conveying condolences; no legal or funding effects.

Resolution Adopted
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Bill Summary · SR 421

Summary — SR 421 (Senate Resolution 421)

Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: April 15, 2025
Classification: Senate resolution (honorary / memorial)
Primary sponsors: Sen. Donzella James; Sen. Jil Tracy (listed as primary)
Legislative actions (selected): Senate Hopper Mar 19, 2025; Senate Read & Adopted Mar 20, 2025; Received by Secretary Apr 15, 2025; Read & Adopted Apr 22, 2025 (vote recorded; reported enrolled); Resolution Adopted Oct 15, 2025; Filed with Secretary Oct 14, 2025.

Overview
- SR 421 is an honorary resolution containing commemorative language recognizing two individuals for public service and community contributions.
- The resolution is ceremonial and non‑binding; it does not create law, appropriate funds, or change existing statutes or programs.

Key provisions / content
1. Recognition and commendation of Willene White‑Smith
- Commends Willene White‑Smith for a long career in public service.
- Notes 34 years with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as Manager of Georgia’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and Family Violence (FV) Programs, overseeing crime-data collection from 700+ law enforcement agencies.
- Records her educational background (B.S. in Business Management from Morris Brown College, May 15, 1977; additional coursework at Oglethorpe University and Columbus Command College/GBI).
- Highlights leadership and advocacy roles for Morris Brown College (Alumni Association, Women for Morris Brown College Inc. — 8th and 10th president — MBC Friends of Fountain Hall, Alumni Focus Group, DeKalb Alumni Chapter) and service to HBCUs (Atlanta HBCU Alliance, AIAC‑UNCF chapter).
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Willene White‑Smith.

  1. Memorial / mourning of Brigadier General Richard E. Northern (Illinois National Guard, Ret.)
    • Expresses sorrow at the death of BG Richard E. Northern (reported date of death: September 2, 2025) and extends condolences to his family.
    • Summarizes his personal background and education (born September 1, 1927, Quincy, IL; Quincy Administration Business College; multiple military schools including Chemical, Biological and Radiological School in Camp Gifu, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Industrial College/U.S. Army War College; other military coursework).
    • Details his military service: enlisted June 23, 1948; served in Korea (314th Ammunition Group), commissioned 1955, service in Medical Service Corps and Ordnance Corps; roles in Vietnam‑era training; transferred to Illinois State Headquarters (1968); promotions through lieutenant colonel, colonel; appointed director of Illinois State Selective Service System (Nov 15, 1977); retired as brigadier general in 1987; continued as federal employee until June 23, 2015.
    • Describes civilian and community service roles: administrator and security chief at Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy; involvement with memorials, buildings and veterans programs; long political activity as Republican precinct committeeman and party chair; owner/operator of Northern Realty (52 years); extensive civic and veterans organization membership (VFW, American Legion, Elks, Reserve Officers Association, National Guard Association of Illinois, Korean War Veterans Association, Shriners, Masons, etc.).
    • Lists military awards and honors (Meritorious Service Medal, Korea-related medals, Army Commendation with Oak Leaf Clusters, Illinois Distinguished Service Medal, other service ribbons and awards; Executive of the Year, First Illinois Veteran of the Year).
    • Notes survivors and instructs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to BG Northern’s family.

Who/what is affected
- Directly: the two honorees (Willene White‑Smith and family of BG Richard E. Northern) as recipients of official recognition and condolence.
- Indirectly: institutions and communities associated with the honorees (Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Morris Brown College and HBCU networks; Illinois veterans community and Quincy civic organizations).
- No regulatory, fiscal, or programmatic effects — the resolution is symbolic.

Procedural / timeline notes
- The resolution was read and adopted at multiple points in 2025 (March–April) and later recorded as adopted and filed in October 2025 per the legislative action log.
- The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to distribute copies to the honorees/family as specified.

Bottom line
SR 421 is an adopted, ceremonial Senate resolution that (1) formally recognizes Willene White‑Smith’s long career in crime reporting administration and advocacy for Morris Brown College and HBCUs and (2) memorializes Brig. Gen. Richard E. Northern, summarizing his military, civic, and business contributions and directing that condolences be conveyed to his family. It carries no legal or financial obligations.

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

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