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HR 483

MEMORIAL-YOLANDA ORANGE-BERRY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sonya Harper

Two ceremonial resolutions commend Christy Todd for teaching excellence in Georgia and mourn Yolanda Ngini Orange-Berry’s passing in Illinois; neither changes policy or funds.

Resolution Adopted
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Bill Summary · HR 483

Summary — H.R. 483 (Resolution Adopted)

Overview

H.R. 483, titled "MEMORIAL–YOLANDA ORANGE‑BERRY," as recorded in the provided materials, actually contains text for two separate, ceremonial state‑level resolutions combined in one document:

  1. A Georgia House resolution commending Christy Todd as Georgia's 2024 Teacher of the Year.
  2. An Illinois House resolution mourning the death of Yolanda Ngini Orange‑Berry.

Both texts are honorary/commemorative in nature; neither creates binding law, allocates funds, nor changes public policy.

Note on procedural data: the legislative action history and sponsor list in the provided file appear inconsistent with the two state resolutions (they include U.S. House committee referrals and U.S. Representative names). That suggests the compiled record mixes multiple jurisdictions or filings. The substance below focuses on the resolution texts included.

Key provisions and substantive content

A. Commendation for Christy Todd (Georgia)

  • Purpose: To commend Christy Todd for outstanding contributions to education as Georgia Teacher of the Year (2024).
  • Highlights:
    • Named Georgia Teacher of the Year (Jan 2024) and finalist for National Teacher of the Year.
    • Delivered more than 125 statewide keynote presentations promoting public education and teacher supports.
    • Reached over 1,000 prospective educators through partnerships with high schools, universities, and teacher associations.
    • Spent 15 years at Rising Starr Middle School (Fayette County) as chorus director and founded the district's "Community for Creativity" initiative.
    • Holds a leadership role at the Georgia Department of Education focusing on teacher recruitment, retention, and pipeline expansion.
    • Background in nonprofit consulting, published research, and as a founding member of the Story Arts Collective.
  • Action: The House commends Todd and directs the Clerk to provide an appropriate copy of the resolution to her.

B. Memorial for Yolanda Ngini Orange‑Berry (Illinois)

  • Purpose: To mourn the passing and honor the life and public service of Yolanda Ngini Orange‑Berry (Nov 17, 1976 – Sept 13, 2025).
  • Highlights:
    • Education: attended Southern University and earned a B.A. in Psychology from University of Illinois Chicago (1999); M.S. in Clinical Counseling from Eastern Illinois University (2006).
    • Career: licensed professional counselor (LPC); mental crisis case manager; worked with Teen Parent Services Network, Ada S. McKinley Services, DCFS, and in private practice; board member roles and TEDx involvement.
    • Advocacy: mental health and suicide prevention; mother of an autistic child; led community outreach (weekly Facebook live, mentoring, education advocacy).
    • Personal: active in multiple churches; survived by husband Deon Berry Sr., children, mother, sister, and extended family.
  • Action: The Illinois House expresses condolences and directs a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to her family.

Who is affected

  • Principally ceremonial recognition for the individuals named and their families, colleagues, and local educational and mental‑health communities. No regulatory, budgetary, or operational effects on agencies or the public.

Procedural / Timeline notes

  • Introduced: Jan 16, 2025 (per provided data).
  • Recorded actions include readings, placement on calendars, adoption (dates in March and October 2025 are listed). The material states the resolution was adopted.
  • Because these are honorary state House resolutions, adoption is an expression of the legislative body’s sentiment and typically results in an official copy being delivered to the honoree or family.

Caveat

The document supplied appears to conflate multiple resolutions and includes cross‑jurisdictional metadata (sponsors and committee referrals inconsistent with state resolutions). The substantive summary above is limited to the two resolution texts contained in the file.

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

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