ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council formally honored Councilmember Howard Shook on Dec. 20, 2025, as he retires after 24 years and six terms of service, reading a proclamation and sharing tributes from colleagues and family.

"Congratulations, mister Shook," said Speaker 1 at the outset of the remarks, opening a round of tributes that highlighted Shook’s long tenure and institutional contributions. Speaker 6 read the proclamation: "In recognition of Howard Shook for 6 terms of service on the Atlanta City Council," noting he has "devoted more than 24 years of distinguished service" as the elected council member for District 7.

Colleagues who spoke credited Shook with steady oversight of city finances and infrastructure. Speaker 5 said Shook had "provided exemplary leadership in fiscal and infrastructure oversight, having chaired the finance committee for 7 years and utilities committee for 4." The council’s remarks also linked Shook’s leadership to a recent fiscal milestone; Speaker 1 said he "set a north star to make sure that we hit a triple a credit rating" and added, "We've done that together."

Family members joined the tribute. "My sister and I flew in from New York this morning to surprise our dad," said Speaker 2, describing how Shook’s daughters and family made the trip as an unannounced gesture. Speaker 7 noted that Shook’s wife and team arranged for his daughters to be present as a surprise. Speaker 8 added, "My daughters flew in, from Brooklyn this morning," underscoring the family presence.

Speakers combined personal recollections with a ceremonial declaration. Speaker 4 said the council, on behalf of residents, "honor[s] and recognize[s] Howard Shook and we are naming this the Howard Shook day." Colleagues praised Shook as a mentor and friend: Speaker 1 called him a "good legislator" and "a good all around friend," and Speaker 3 said, "He has given it his all for 24 years."

The session closed on a cordial note, with Speaker 8 saying Shook has a "deep love and respect for the Atlanta City Council as an institution," a sentiment colleagues said they would carry forward. No formal vote record or mover/second was recorded in the transcript for the proclamation.

The council’s tribute will stand as the most recent formal acknowledgment of Shook’s multi-decade service; the council did not record additional legislative action on the matter during the remarks.