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Expressing regret at the passing of Walter Edwin "Ed" Sumner; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, on March 29, 2000, the State of Georgia lost one of its finest and most distinguished citizens with the tragic and untimely passing of Walter Edwin "Ed" Sumner; and

WHEREAS, he was an honest and dedicated public servant who strived for excellence in all his endeavors and whose primary concern was the welfare and safety of the citizens of this state; and

WHEREAS, this beloved individual exhibited extraordinary devotion to duty, outstanding loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all his duties throughout his career of peerless public service as general counsel of the Georgia Municipal Association for over 24 years; general counsel for the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Municipal Association Employees Benefit System and the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency; chairman of the State League Counsel of the International Municipal Lawyers Association; and member of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys; and

WHEREAS, his mentor, colleague, and friend, University of Georgia Carter Professor of Law R. Perry Sentell, Jr., remarked in a tribute that although Ed was of a naturally quiet and retiring disposition, he forced himself into a position demanding the most public of performances and consequently mastered the substantive aspects of local government law and brought an unmatched expertise to the city attorneys of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the members of this body, and in particular those who worked closely with Ed on matters pertaining to local government law, can only echo the sentiments expressed by Professor Sentell and add that Ed's consistently thorough consideration of the local government issues presented to this deliberative body and his integrity and reliability rightfully earned him our honor, respect, and trust over the years; and

WHEREAS, he consistently demonstrated a solid commitment to the careful study of sensitive issues and proposed solutions and quickly developed a reputation as an equitable, impartial leader whose decisions were governed by the rules of honesty and fair play and whose actions were marked by unmatched dignity, grace, and wisdom; and

WHEREAS, his unparalleled organizational and leadership talents, his remarkable patience and diplomacy, his keen sense of vision, and his acute sensitivity to the needs of the citizens of his community and state earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and associates; and

WHEREAS, the untimely passing of this generous, kind, and devoted family man leaves an unfillable void in the hearts and lives of his family and friends.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body express their deepest and most sincere regret at the passing of Walter Edwin "Ed" Sumner; commend the care, courage, sympathy, and selfless dedication he exhibited in carrying out the difficult duties of general counsel to the Georgia Municipal Association; and extend to his family their utmost appreciation for his having so purely and truly defined for others the meaning of public servant.

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 the family of Walter Edwin "Ed" Sumner.

IN HOUSE
Read and Adopted
January 17, 2001

Robert E. Rivers, Jr.
Clerk