06 LC 97
0105
Senate
Resolution 701
By:
Senators Grant of the 25th, Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th, Thomas of the 2nd, Miles
of the 43rd, Seay of the 34th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Honoring
the life and public service to Georgia of James Ray Crawford, Jr.; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
James Ray Crawford, Jr., served his beloved State of Georgia for more than 32
years in a variety of key public service positions; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Crawford unexpectedly died on November 23, 2005, of a massive heart attack
while enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, hunting with his son;
and
WHEREAS,
a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Cumberland School of Law at
Samford University, Mr. Crawford served his country honorably as a decorated
officer in the United States Army; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Crawford was one of the most personable and well-respected public servants
in all of state government, having served Georgia during the terms of six
governors as he provided leadership for the State Properties Commission, Georgia
Building Authority, and most recently as Georgia's first State Property Officer,
appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Crawford was also active in many other significant leadership roles in state
government, serving as chairman of the Georgia Land Conservation Council and as
a member of the MARTA Board of Directors, the State Board of Equalization,
Sapelo Island Heritage Authority, and other community organizations;
and
WHEREAS,
for many years, members of the General Assembly counted on Mr. Crawford's
expertise and ability to forge partnerships as critical pieces of legislation
pertaining to property transfers, acquisition of public lands and management of
public buildings assigned to state government were addressed and issues
resolved; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia legislators regarded him as a dear friend and confidante who always
listened to their concerns and endeavored to help guide them through complicated
issues while ensuring that actions taken were within the statutory allowances
and in the public's best interest; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Crawford was also a dedicated family man whose greatest love and
achievements were his wife of more than 35 years, Susan, his daughter, Kelly,
and his sons, Tray and Chris, along with his pride and joy, his grandson, Mason
Bond Crawford; and
WHEREAS,
work and family duties didn't keep Mr. Crawford away from the love of sports
that had always been such a big part of his life and that of his grown children,
given his history of playing football at the University of Georgia and his
children's participation in organized athletics even into their adulthood;
and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Crawford will always be missed and remembered by the many friends he made
over the course of his extraordinary lifetime.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in
commemorating the memory of James Ray Crawford, Jr., and honor his more than 32
years of outstanding service to Georgia and extend their most heartfelt
condolences to his family and friends.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mrs. Susan Green Crawford.