HR695: HR695 Kelley, Councilwoman Dr. Melody; recipient of the 2025 Georgia Single Parent Fifth "Legacy Builders" Award; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Councilwoman Dr. Melody Kelley after she received the 2025 Georgia Single Parent Fifth "Legacy Builders" Award. The text recounts her history as the first African American woman doctoral candidate in the chemistry department at the University of Alabama, her work co-founding a support program for student parents, her academic career at Georgia State University's Perimeter College, and her election as the first African American person on the Sandy Springs City Council. The resolution formally states that the House recognizes and commends her for the award and wishes her continued success. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for her. The measure does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement by the legislature.

• Formally recognizes and commends Councilwoman Dr. Melody Kelley for receiving the 2025 Georgia Single Parent Fifth "Legacy Builders" Award.
• Documents her academic history, including being the first African American woman doctoral candidate in chemistry at the University of Alabama.
• Recounts her role in founding Georgia State University's Rising Panthers Program for K-12 students in Sandy Springs.
• Notes her election as the first African American person on the Sandy Springs City Council in 2021.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare an official copy of the resolution for her.

The resolution directly names and honors Councilwoman Dr. Melody Kelley. It also references Sandy Springs city government, Georgia State University's Perimeter College, and the students involved in the Rising Panthers Program and local PTO boards she has served.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it puts the General Assembly's formal recognition on record for a local official's career achievements and community service in Sandy Springs.

• The whereas clauses describe her academic and civic accomplishments, including earning her doctorate in organic chemistry in 2014 and becoming a tenured associate professor at Georgia State University's Perimeter College.
• The resolved clause states the House recognizes and commends her for the 2025 award and wishes her continued success.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to her.

1. 2025-03-21House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-21House Hopper (House)

• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)Primary sponsor
• Betsy Holland (D, HD-054)
• Long Tran (D, HD-080)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)

• legislative commendation
• Sandy Springs
• education
• local government