05 LC
9 1607
Senate
Resolution 115
By:
Senators Starr of the 44th, Hooks of the 14th and Walker of the 22nd
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
regret at the passing of Frank H. Edwards; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
on Thursday, February 3, 2005, the State of Georgia lost a distinguished public
servant and a loyal citizen with the passing of Frank H. Edwards;
and
WHEREAS,
this beloved individual exhibited extraordinary devotion to duty, outstanding
loyalty, exemplary leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all he did;
and
WHEREAS,
for 39 years and one month he served as the chief bill-drafter for the General
Assembly of Georgia, first in the Bill Drafting Unit of the Office of the
Attorney General of Georgia and later as legislative counsel; and
WHEREAS,
he was a native of Toccoa but grew up in Commerce, where he gained the nickname
"Chick" as the result of raising bantam chickens as a Boy Scout and became an
accomplished drummer, a love which he practiced for the rest of his life;
and
WHEREAS,
he earned a degree from Mercer University in 1940 and a law degree from the
University of Georgia School of Law in 1942; and
WHEREAS,
he remained a passionate Georgia Bulldog fan throughout his life and rarely
missed a home game; and
WHEREAS,
he served his country with honor and distinction as an aircraft mechanic in the
Army Air Force during World War II; and
WHEREAS,
following his military service he passed the state bar examination, engaged in
the private practice of law, joined the staff of Attorney General Eugene Cook,
and was assigned the task of assisting the General Assembly in the drafting of
bills and resolutions; and
WHEREAS, in 1959, the Office of Legislative Counsel was created within the legislative branch of state government and he moved to the state capitol to become the state´s first legislative counsel; and
WHEREAS, in 1959, the Office of Legislative Counsel was created within the legislative branch of state government and he moved to the state capitol to become the state´s first legislative counsel; and
WHEREAS,
prior to his retirement as legislative counsel in 1987, he oversaw the drafting
of more than 87,000 bills, resolutions, and amendments and was instrumental in
the creation of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and the Constitution of
the State of Georgia of 1983; and
WHEREAS,
he was known by everyone under the Gold Dome for his outstanding legal
abilities; his studious commitment to providing every member of the General
Assembly with quality legal services in a nonpartisan manner; his remarkable
patience, kindness, and diplomacy; his keen sense of vision; his delightful
sense of humor; his role as a mentor; and his counsel, friendship, and
leadership; and
WHEREAS,
he was the devoted husband of Mrs. Laline White Edwards, the father of two
wonderful daughters, Gail Walker and Jeanie Siegel, and the proud grandfather of
three grandsons.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body express
their deepest regret at the passing of Frank H. Edwards and extend their
sincerest sympathy to the members of his family.
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 Frank H.
Edwards.