Georgia-2009-SR1546-Enrolled

By: Senators Orrock of the 36th, Fort of the 39th, Tate of the 38th, Brown of the 26th, Butler of the 55th and others

Honoring the life and memory of Mr. Kenneth Chastain; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of this nation's most distinguished citizens with the passing of Mr. Kenneth Chastain on September 1, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Chastain was born on May 1, 1954, in Lumberton, North Carolina, a beloved son of the late Rosie Pearl Hammonds Chastain and J.F. Chastain, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, a member of the Lumbee Native American Tribe, Mr. Chastain dedicated his life to promoting social progress, equality, and justice for people of the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Chastain worked diligently for equal rights for minority and women steel workers, service workers, electrical workers, and undocumented workers in Georgia and throughout the South; and

WHEREAS, he worked with anti-apartheid groups in the United States and South Africa, organized marches and forums in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, worked with the tire and auto industry to ensure safe tires and cars, and traveled to Africa, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East to fight for human rights; and

WHEREAS, this compassionate man was working on behalf of injured sugar refinery workers in Savannah, Georgia, at the time of his untimely passing; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Chastain was united in love and marriage to Jeanne Opdyke Chastain for 32 wonderful years and was blessed with the love and support of his remarkable children, K.C. and Kymberly, Estes, and Rose, and his delightful granddaughter Aubree Isabella Rose; and
WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness and, by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Chastain will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mr. Kenneth Chastain and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Mr. Kenneth Chastain.