GA SR1217

Recognizes and commends former Georgia Representative Bob Beckham for his decades of service to the Republican Party, beginning with his joining the Richmond County Republican Party in 1964 and election as its chairman in 1965

Highlights his six years of service in the Georgia House of Representatives starting in 1971, during which he established an independent election board and passed the Georgia Welfare Reform Act requiring welfare recertification every 90 days instead of every three years — the first Republican bill to pass the Georgia General Assembly

Credits his work in Columbia County beginning in 1979, where he served as Chairman of the Election Committee and in 1988 recruited candidates who successfully challenged and defeated incumbent Democratic county commissioners

Acknowledges that due largely to Beckham's efforts, the Columbia County Republican Party holds every constitutional and partisan elective office in the county, and he has mentored numerous local leaders including Senator Bill Jackson

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to former Representative Beckham