Georgia-2011-HR1689-Introduced

WHEREAS, Chairman Eldrin Bell completed his undergraduate studies at Morris Brown University and Georgia State University; his graduate studies at Harvard Law School, Northwestern University Institute, and Atlanta University; received training at the FBI Academy, National Executive Institute, and Secret Service Academy; and completed the Association County Commissioners of Georgia certification program; and

WHEREAS, Chairman Bell is a veteran of the Atlanta Police Department where he dedicated 33 years of service, during which time he managed 2,300 employees and a $100 million budget as police chief and successfully secured over $50 million in grants for the department; and

WHEREAS, he was elected as commission chairman in November of 2004 to serve the citizens of Clayton County; and

WHEREAS, he has been responsible for various community service programs, including the Clayton County Library Foundation, an online live tutorial program for Clayton County children from fourth grade to freshmen college students; and

WHEREAS, Chairman Bell successfully led the committee to pass legislation giving Clayton County and its cities over $300 million in revenue to support parks, green space, libraries, and roads; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of many civic and professional organizations, including chairman of the Clayton County Regional Health Board, vice-chairman of the Transportation Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Transportation Board for NACo, past chairman of the Regional Transportation Planning Board, Atlanta Regional Commission Board Member and chairman of ARC's Aging Committee, Corner Stone Board Member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, associate member of the Gate City Bar Association, and life member of Clayton County NAACP; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, he is an active member of Salem Bible Baptist Church where he is an ordained Elder and a government relations advisor to Pastor Jasper William, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, he is the proud father of 13 remarkable children, grandfather of 13 wonderful grandchildren, and great-grandfather of six adored great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the accomplishments of this distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Chairman Eldrin Bell on a lifetime of efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to Clayton County and the State of Georgia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Chairman Eldrin Bell.