Bill

SR 446

MEMORIAL-DR. RICHARD HAMERSMA

104th Regular Session Introduced by Don Harmon

Designates November 2025 as Veterans Month to raise awareness and encourage support for veterans; ceremony memorial for Dr. Richard J. Hamersma and expresses condolences.

Resolution Adopted

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Bill Summary · SR 446

Summary — Senate Resolution 446 (SR 446)

Overview

SR 446 is a ceremonial resolution adopted in 2025. The texts associated with SR 446 in the provided materials include two distinct ceremonial resolutions that appear to have been combined in the record:
1. A Georgia Senate resolution honoring veterans and formally recognizing November 2025 as "Veterans Month."
2. A memorial resolution from the Illinois Senate mourning the death of Richard John Hamersma, Ph.D., and expressing condolences to his family.

Both pieces are non‑binding, symbolic resolutions intended to honor and raise awareness rather than to create legal obligations.

Main purposes and intent

Recognize and honor the service and sacrifices of veterans statewide by designating November 2025 as Veterans Month and encouraging public participation in supportive activities.
Mourn the passing of Richard John Hamersma, Ph.D., acknowledge his professional and artistic contributions, and present an official expression of sympathy to his family.

Key provisions and changes

Veterans Month resolution (Georgia):
- Officially recognizes November 2025 as Veterans Month.
- Recites the historical origin of Veterans Day (Armistice Day, November 11, 1918) and its 1954 renaming by President Eisenhower.
- Highlights veterans’ physical and psychological challenges and the importance of public awareness.
- Encourages all Georgians to participate in activities and programs that recognize and support veterans.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public, veterans organizations, and the press.

Memorial for Dr. Richard J. Hamersma (Illinois):
- Notes Dr. Hamersma’s death on April 17, 2025, at age 82.
- Summarizes his education (M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology, Michigan State University), career (DePaul University assistant professor, clinical psychologist, director of the Growth Process Center), and achievements (songwriting recognition).
- Expresses the Senate’s condolences to his family and directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family as an expression of sympathy.

Who or what is affected

Veterans across the state (for the Veterans Month resolution): primarily symbolic recognition aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging civic and nonprofit activities to support veterans.
Family, friends, colleagues, and community members of Dr. Richard J. Hamersma (for the memorial): principally an official expression of the Senate’s mourning and sympathy.

These resolutions do not create funding commitments or statutory changes.

Procedural / Timeline highlights

Introduced: April 22, 2025
Senate actions reported: Read & adopted (records show actions on March 25, April 24, 2025); vote recorded in journal April 24, 2025; reported enrolled April 24, 2025.
Additional entries: Filed with Secretary on October 14, 2025; listed as co‑sponsored by all senators and referred to the Resolutions Consent Calendar; resolution adopted October 15, 2025.
Final status: Resolution adopted (ceremonial adoption and distribution authorized).

Legal effect and likely impact

Both items are symbolic, commemorative resolutions with no binding legal or fiscal effect.
The Veterans Month designation may help focus outreach, awareness campaigns, and community or nonprofit events during November 2025.
The memorial provides an official statement of the legislature’s condolences and a public record honoring Dr. Hamersma’s life and work.

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