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SR 286

MEMORIAL-JOHN A. GUYNN

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dale Fowler

Ceremonial resolutions: Georgia designates Oct 20, 2025 as Diwali Day; Illinois memorializes John A. Guynn, honoring a Vietnam veteran and expressing condolences.

Resolution Adopted
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Bill Summary · SR 286

Summary — SR 286

Note on sources: The provided SR 286 materials contain two different ceremonial resolutions that share the same SR 286 identifier in different jurisdictions. One is a Georgia Senate resolution recognizing Diwali Day (sponsored by Senators Shawn Still, Emanuel Jones, and Jason Esteves). The other is an Illinois Senate memorial resolution mourning the death of John A. Guynn (LRB104 reference). Both are non‑binding, honorary resolutions. Summaries of each follow.

A. Georgia Senate Resolution SR 286 — Recognizing Diwali Day

  • Title / Purpose: Recognize October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day in Georgia and acknowledge the cultural, religious, and social significance of Diwali.
  • Sponsors: Senators Shawn Still (primary), Emanuel Jones (primary), Jason Esteves (primary).
  • Key provisions:
    • Officially recognizes October 20, 2025, as Diwali Day.
    • Describes Diwali (Deepavali) as a five‑day festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, observed by over 1 billion people worldwide and by tens of thousands in Georgia.
    • Highlights customs (lighting small oil lamps, prayers for health, knowledge, peace) and values associated with Diwali (renewal, reflection, charity/dana, selfless service/seva, compassion, pursuit of knowledge).
    • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make appropriate copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
  • Affected parties / impact:
    • Primarily symbolic recognition of Georgia’s Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities and other residents who observe Diwali.
    • No regulatory, statutory, or fiscal effect — ceremonial acknowledgment intended to promote recognition and inclusion.
  • Procedural/timeline:
    • Introduced / Received by Secretary: March 14, 2025.
    • Read & adopted / Reported enrolled: March 19, 2025.
    • Additional listed actions include being placed on a resolutions consent calendar and being filed with the Secretary (May 6–8, 2025).

B. Illinois Senate Resolution SR 0286 (LRB104...) — Memorial for John A. Guynn

  • Title / Purpose: Mourn the passing and extend condolences to the family and friends of John A. Guynn of Massac County, who died January 15, 2025.
  • Key contents / findings included:
    • Biographical details: son of Rev. Julius Earl and Agatha “Peggy” (Terry) Guynn; served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star; retired from Riverwood International (Kankakee); member of the Machinists Union, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Waldo Baptist Church (served as deacon).
    • Family and survivors: lists children (Thomas, Matthew (Janie), Samantha (Jeff) Lillard), grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews; notes predeceased family members.
    • Expresses the Senate’s mourning and extends condolences to survivors.
    • Resolves that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the family as an expression of sympathy.
  • Affected parties / impact:
    • Honorary memorial for the individual and comfort to family and community; no legal or fiscal effects.
  • Procedural/timeline:
    • Text contains LRB104 legislative reference typical of Illinois drafting; resolution adopted by the Illinois Senate (dates not fully specified in the provided excerpt).

Overall Observations

  • Both texts are ceremonial/resolution instruments intended to recognize or memorialize; neither creates law, changes policy, or imposes costs.
  • The Georgia SR 286 emphasizes cultural recognition and inclusion (Diwali Day, Oct 20, 2025). The Illinois SR 0286 memorializes an individual veteran and community member (John A. Guynn).
  • Because the materials combine entries from different legislatures, readers should note jurisdictional differences when citing SR 286.

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

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