HR 16

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     House Resolution 16EX
     By: Representatives Beckles of the 96th, Clark of the 108th, Efstration of the 104th, McClain
     of the 109th, Park of the 107th, and others
                                 A RESOLUTION
1 Honoring the life and memory of Elliott Earl Brack; and for other purposes.
2 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia, the County of Gwinnett, and House District 96 mourn the
3 passing of Elliott Earl Brack, a beloved newspaperman, civic leader, and devoted citizen of
4 Norcross who died peacefully at his home on May 15, 2026, at the age of 90; and
5 WHEREAS, born in rural Wilkinson County in 1935 and raised in Macon, Elliott Brack
6 graduated from Mercer University in 1957, was commissioned a United States Army officer
7 through ROTC, served his nation on active duty in Germany, and earned a master's degree
8 in journalism from the University of Iowa; and
9 WHEREAS, over a distinguished career spanning more than six decades, he served as a
10 reporter, editor, publisher, and executive, including as publisher of the Wayne County Press,
11 vice president and general manager of the Gwinnett Daily News, and associate publisher of
12 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Gwinnett EXTRA," earning scores of state and national
13 honors, among them best weekly editorial page in the nation in successive years; and
14 WHEREAS, he gave generously of his expertise as a visiting professor at the University of
15 Georgia's Henry W. Grady College and served for 33 years as chairman and president of The
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16 Red and Black Publishing Company, guiding that independent student newspaper to lasting
17 success; and
18 WHEREAS, as a chronicler of community life, he authored Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta,
19 an 850-page history recognized with the Award of Excellence by the Georgia Historical
20 Records Advisory Board, as well as 366 Facts About Gwinnett, and he wrote more than
21 10,000 columns, including those published in his online GwinnettForum from 2001 to the
22 present day; and
23 WHEREAS, his servant leadership touched countless institutions: he was the founding
24 chairman of Leadership Gwinnett and founder of Senior Leadership Gwinnett, president of
25 the Georgia Press Association, a 20-year board member and "Other" Award honoree of the
26 Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta, a Rotarian with more than 63 years of perfect attendance,
27 and a faithful communicant and lector of Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross; and
28 WHEREAS, through tireless philanthropy, he helped raise millions of dollars for the
29 Salvation Army, the United Way of Gwinnett, the Robert Fowler YMCA, and the University
30 of Georgia, leaving a legacy of generosity that strengthened the entire community; and
31 WHEREAS, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and
32 is lovingly survived by his wife, Barbara; his children and grandchildren; and a grateful
33 county that he served and celebrated for more than half a century.
34 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
35 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Elliott Earl Brack, extend
36 the deepest condolences to his family, and commend his enduring example of integrity,
37 devotion, and community leadership to the citizens of Georgia.
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38 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
39 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
40 family of Elliott Earl Brack.
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