Former Georgia senator Vincent D. Fort to lie in state Friday at city hall

ATLANTA - Celebration of Life and internment plans have been announced for former Georgia State Senator Vincent D. Fort, who died Sunday at the age of 68.

Fort was first elected to the State Senate from the 39th District in 1996 and was reelected 10 times. He represented parts of Atlanta, East Point, College Park, Union City, and unincorporated Fulton County.

"I've lost a very dear personal friend," said state Sen. Nan Orrock.

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"Fort will be remembered more than anything for his uncommon goodness and for his tireless and fierce advocacy for marginalized people who couldn't get in rooms at the state capitol," said former Atlanta City Council member Derrick Boazman.

During his tenure, Fort served as the Democratic Whip in the Senate and was a member of the Appropriations, Judiciary-Civil, Judiciary-Criminal, Education and Youth, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Interstate Cooperation, Urban Affairs, and MARTA Oversight Committees. He also chaired the Retirement Committee, Interstate Cooperation Committee, and the Fulton County Senate Delegation.

"He was one of my closest allies in taking on the issues that we both believed in standing up for expanding our democracy creating an inclusive society and addressing the needs of people who need help," said Sen. Orrock.

Credit: State of Georgia

Fort authored Georgia's first hate crimes law in 2001, designed to provide enhanced penalties for defendants who intentionally selected their victims due to bias or prejudice. That same year, he authored a predatory lending law, which became the foundation for the strongest legislation of its kind, passed in 2002. Fort gained national recognition as a leader in the fight against predatory lending and foreclosures. He also authored a law that increased disabled access to housing.

Additionally, Fort secured $40 million in funding for buildings at Atlanta Technical College and Atlanta Metropolitan College.

"The kind of lending schemes that would cause people to lose their homes...he went to work on that issue, and he didn't quit until he worked with Gov. Barnes to pass the strongest fair lending act in the country," said Sen. Orrock.

In 2017, Fort ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Keisha Lance Bottoms. In 2022, he ran for Georgia's 13th congressional district. 

"There are those who've felt Vincent Fort's wrath, but it was wrath directed at wrongdoing. That's who he was. He stood on the side of the people," said Sen. Orrock.

Details:

• Lying in State: Jan. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Atlanta City Hall, old council chambers, 68 Mitchell Street.
• Family Hour and Masonic Last Rites: Jan. 3, 6 p.m., at Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home, West End Chapel.
• Celebration of Life: Jan. 4, 1 p.m., at Lindsay Street Baptist Church, 550 Lindsay Street NW, Atlanta.
• Interment: South-View Cemetery, Jonesboro Road.

The family requests donations in lieu of flowers. Contributions may be made to:

• First African Community Development Corporation (www.firstafricancdc.org)
• Promise Land Community Development Corporation (www.fortscholarship.com)