HR518: HR518 Roberts, Dr. Terrence J.; commend

This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Dr. Terrence J. Roberts. The resolution recounts his role as one of the Little Rock Nine, the students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, and his subsequent 40 year career as a clinical psychologist, university administrator and faculty member, and management consultant. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply states that the House recognizes and commends Dr. Roberts for his contributions to civil rights, education, and social justice, and wishes him future health and happiness. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Dr. Roberts.

• Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Terrence J. Roberts on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives for his civil rights, education, and social justice work.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Roberts.
• Creates no new law, funding, or legal requirement, since it is a commendation resolution rather than legislation amending Georgia code.

The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Terrence J. Roberts. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is tasked with preparing a copy for distribution to him.

The resolution carries symbolic and ceremonial weight rather than practical legal effect. It creates an official House record honoring Dr. Roberts's history as one of the Little Rock Nine and his decades of work in psychology and civil rights advocacy, but it does not alter any rights, funding, or obligations for Georgians.

• The whereas clauses describe Dr. Roberts's role as one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.
• The whereas clauses detail his 40 year career as a clinical psychologist and his roles at UCLA and Antioch University, Los Angeles.
• The whereas clauses note honors he has received, including the Congressional Gold Medal, the Pere Marquette Discovery Award, the Spingarn Medal, and the Robert S. Abbott Award.
• The resolving clause formally commends Dr. Roberts for his contributions to civil rights, education, and social justice.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to Dr. Roberts.

1. 2025-03-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Hopper (House)

• Gabe Okoye (D, HD-102)Primary sponsor
• Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)
• Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)
• Sheila Jones (D, HD-060)

• civil rights history
• Little Rock Nine
• House commendation resolution
• psychology