Bill
SR 411
SR 411 merges ceremonial resolutions: honors Handy Johnson, Jr. for West End preservation and community leadership, and memorializes SMSgt Richard Lee Leonard's military service.
Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: April 11, 2025
Classification: Senate resolution
Note on document content
- The text associated with SR 411 appears to contain two distinct resolutions combined into one file: (A) a Georgia Senate resolution honoring Handy Johnson, Jr., and (B) an Illinois-style memorial resolution for Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Richard Lee Leonard. The bill metadata, sponsors, and some procedural actions align with the Georgia resolution recognizing Handy Johnson, Jr., while the memorial language pertains to SMSgt Leonard. This summary separates and describes both components and notes the procedural status recorded.
Purpose and intent
- To formally recognize and commend Handy Johnson, Jr., for long‑standing community leadership, historic preservation and neighborhood revitalization work in Atlanta’s West End, and for his public service to the State of Georgia.
Key provisions and findings
- Recites Johnson’s personal and professional accomplishments:
- In 1971 Johnson and his late wife Lois purchased and restored a historic West End house and raised a family there.
- Johnson earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design, noted as the first African American recipient of that graduate degree in the program.
- His graduate thesis, “Neighborhood Revitalization: An Analysis of Neighborhood Conditions in Atlanta’s West End,” helped shape the West End Neighborhood Development (WEND) organization.
- Longtime service in local organizations: WEND, Beautification and Environmental Health Committee, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Atlanta Urban Design, the Joel Chandler Harris Association (Wren’s Nest), Atlanta Preservation Center, and City of Atlanta Historic Resources Survey Steering Committee.
- 34 years with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Division of Planning and Research) working on statewide planning and parks development.
- Declares Johnson’s qualities (integrity, leadership, vision) and expresses appreciation and best wishes.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available to Handy Johnson, Jr.
Who is affected / impact
- Primarily honorary: honors Handy Johnson, Jr., raises public recognition of his preservation and community work, and acknowledges contributions to neighborhood revitalization and state parks planning. Benefits accrue to the West End community and historic preservation stakeholders through public recognition.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Sponsors (listed as primary): Nan Orrock, Harold Jones II, Derek Mallow, Kim Jackson, David Lucas, Ed Harbison, Nikki Merritt, Emanuel Jones, Steve McClure, Chuck Payne, Nabilah Islam Parkes, Sonya Halpern (and others).
- Recorded actions include: Received by Secretary of the Senate (April 11, 2025); Read & adopted (April 14, 2025); Reported enrolled (April 14, 2025). The Senate Secretary was authorized to distribute a copy to Johnson.
Purpose and intent
- To mourn the death of SMSgt Richard Lee Leonard, USAF (Ret.), extend condolences to his family and commemorate his military and personal life.
Key provisions and findings
- Notes biographical details (as stated in the text):
- Born December 13, 1940, in Springfield.
- Died July 28, 2025.
- Military service: over 27 years total — six years in the U.S. Navy and 21 years in the U.S. Air Force; service included the Korean and Vietnam eras.
- Awards listed in the resolution include the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal (as recited).
- Personal details: enjoyed car shows, drives, and horse tracks; survived by multiple children, stepchildren, grandchildren, siblings, and a companion dog (Wrigley).
- Expresses sympathy and directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family.
Who is affected / impact
- Primarily honorary and ceremonial: acknowledges SMSgt Leonard’s military service and offers formal condolences to survivors and the veteran community.
Procedural/timeline notes
- The memorial text is presented in resolution form and concludes with a provision to present a copy to the family.
If you want, I can:
- Extract and produce a clean, stand‑alone text for each resolution (Handy Johnson, Jr.; SMSgt Richard Leonard), or
- Check official Senate databases/URLs to confirm final enrolled versions and correct jurisdictional attribution.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
