HR851: HR851 Davis, James L.; commend

This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, a type of measure that honors a specific person rather than changing any law. It recognizes James L. Davis, who was born in Lexington, Mississippi in 1923 and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, on the occasion of his 102nd birthday. The resolution recounts his life story: joining the first Black golf club west of the Mississippi in 1939, serving in the United States Army during World War II and retiring as a Sergeant, working as a horse trainer and owner at Illinois racetracks, and leading efforts to bring fair housing to Black residents of St. Louis during the Civil Rights Movement. The House formally commends him for his service to family and community and directs the Clerk of the House to send him a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends James L. Davis for his service to his family and community and congratulates him on his 102nd birthday.
• Recites his biography, including World War II Army service, work as a horse trainer in Illinois, and civil rights era fair housing leadership in St. Louis.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to James L. Davis.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a commendation resolution.

The resolution directly names and honors James L. Davis. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is directed to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to him.

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its practical effect is limited to formally recognizing Davis's life and achievements and providing him with an official copy of the House's commendation.

• The whereas clauses describe Davis's birth in 1923 in Lexington, Mississippi, his upbringing in St. Louis, and his 1939 membership in the first Black golf club west of the Mississippi.
• The whereas clauses describe his World War II service in the United States Army, where he retired at the rank of Sergeant.
• The whereas clauses describe his post-military career as a horse trainer and owner at the Cahokia Downs and Fairmont Horse Racetracks in Illinois.
• The whereas clauses credit him with leadership in bringing fair housing to Black residents of St. Louis during the Civil Rights Movement.
• The resolved clause has the House commend and congratulate Davis and wish him continued health and happiness.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Davis.

1. 2025-03-28House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-28House Hopper (House)

• Reynaldo Martinez (R, HD-111)Primary sponsor
• David Clark (R, HD-100)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Gary Richardson (R, HD-125)
• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)

• commendation resolution
• Georgia House of Representatives
• civil rights history
• military veterans