SR351: SR351 McClelland, Dr. Charles F.; recognize

This resolution is a ceremonial honor from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Dr. Charles F. McClelland, who has served as Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) since 2018, for expanding the conference and strengthening its operations. The resolution recounts his earlier career, including leadership roles at Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, and notes honors such as being the first SWAC Athletic Director to win the AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year Award. The Senate formally commends him and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide him with a copy of the resolution as a keepsake.

• Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Charles F. McClelland for his leadership of the Southwestern Athletic Conference since 2018.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. McClelland.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a commendatory resolution rather than legislation.

The resolution directly names Dr. Charles F. McClelland. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians, institutions, or agencies; it is a formal statement of recognition from the Georgia Senate.

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It creates a public, official record of the Georgia Senate's recognition of Dr. McClelland's career, but it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements on anyone.

• The whereas clauses describe McClelland's tenure as SWAC Commissioner since 2018 and the conference's growth to 12 member institutions across six states.
• The whereas clauses detail his prior roles at Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University and note his 2007 AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year Award.
• The resolved clause formally commends McClelland for his leadership and contributions to collegiate athletics.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to McClelland.

1. 2025-03-06Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)

• legislative commendation
• collegiate athletics
• Southwestern Athletic Conference