06 LC 97
0511
House
Resolution 1539
By:
Representatives Benfield of the
85th,
Smyre of the
132nd,
Watson of the
91st,
Hanner of the
148th,
Carter of the
159th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Remembering
the life of Honorable Eleanor L. Richardson, former member of the House of
Representatives; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Honorable Eleanor L. Richardson, former member of the House of Representatives,
passed away on February 21, 2006, leaving a tremendous void in the hearts of all
who knew and loved this most extraordinary Georgian; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. Richardson was born on March 17, 1913, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts;
and
WHEREAS,
after graduating from Atherton Hall in Boston, she worked for an insurance
company in Massachusetts before moving to the Atlanta area; and
WHEREAS,
as a long-time resident of Decatur, Georgia, she was involved in civic
organizations such as the League of Women Voters, serving as president of the
DeKalb League and then the Georgia League; and
WHEREAS,
it was during this time that a friend urged her to run for a vacant seat in the
Georgia General Assembly, thus beginning an illustrious political career;
and
WHEREAS,
from 1975 until 1991, she served with great distinction as one of the first
female members in the House of Representatives, during which time she gained a
unimpeachable reputation as a faithful advocate for her district and a
determined voice of the voiceless; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. Richardson's legislative priorities included issues related to the welfare
of children, women, the elderly, and the homeless, and her unwavering commitment
to justice and equality continually motivated her throughout her prolific tenure
in office; and
WHEREAS,
respected by her colleagues for her unflappable persona and determined
leadership, she served on several key House committees, including the
Appropriations Committee, the Health and Ecology Committee, and the State
Planning and Community Affairs Committee, where she served as chair of the local
legislation subcommittee; and
WHEREAS,
after retiring from public office, Mrs. Richardson was appointed to the newly
founded Georgia Commission on Women in 1992 and served as its first vice chair;
in this position and through her involvement with countless other boards and
advocacy organizations, she remained a tireless servant to her community and to
the state; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. Richardson was a faithful and much beloved member of Glenn Memorial United
Methodist Church for over 45 years, highly active both in the local church and
in her denomination; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. Richardson leaves behind a loving and devoted family, including her
husband, Merlyn Eldon Richardson; her daughter, Meryl Richardson Nolan; her two
grandsons, Gaillard Ravenel Nolan, Jr., and Merlyn Richardson Nolan; and her two
great-grandchildren, Hadley Jane Nolan and Parker Richardson Nolan;
and
WHEREAS,
dedicated to making the world a better place, this strong-willed and big-hearted
lady devoted her entire life to serving others, and she will always be
remembered by this body and the general public for her compassion, integrity,
fairness, and unshakable commitment to forging a more fair and just
society.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in remembering and honoring the life of their most esteemed
former colleague, Honorable Eleanor L. Richardson, in expressing their greatest
sorrow at her passing, and in extending their most sincere condolences to her
family and friends.
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 Mr. Merlyn
Eldon Richardson.