GA SR877

Georgia Senate Resolution 877 honors the life and legacy of Tom Coffin (September 1, 1943 – 2025), who lived 82 years as an advocate for justice, equality, and workers' rights

Co-founded and served as first editor of The Great Speckled Bird in 1968, Atlanta's cooperatively owned underground newspaper that reached 30,000 weekly circulation and covered Vietnam War, civil rights, and labor issues

Worked in Atlanta construction trades from 1976-1989 as a crane operator with Local 926 of the Operating Engineers; later served as adjunct sociology professor at Georgia State University and head field arborist for the City of Atlanta

Earned a B.A. in literature from Reed College (1967) and Ph.D. in forestry from University of Georgia (1995); helped organize the first Georgia Arborist Association chapter

Directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Tom Coffin's family, including his wife Stephanie of 58 years