SR500: SR500 Jones, Jamila "Mary Ethel Dozier"; condolences

This resolution from the Georgia Senate recognizes the life of Jamila "Mary Ethel Dozier" Jones, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1944 and became involved in the civil rights movement as a child, including participation in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and mentorship from Rosa Parks. It recounts her work registering voters, her role in transforming a verse of "We Shall Overcome" into a civil rights anthem, and her later work in Atlanta founding a community school and singing group and integrating arts into the city's parks and recreation programs. The resolution does not change any law. It formally states that the Senate honors her legacy and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for her family.

• Formally recognizes and honors the life and civil rights contributions of Jamila "Mary Ethel Dozier" Jones through a Senate resolution.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to her family.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute or appropriate any state funding.

This resolution primarily affects the family of Jamila "Mary Ethel Dozier" Jones, who will receive an official copy, and serves as a formal statement by the Georgia Senate; it does not impose obligations on any other group.

While the resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect, it creates an official state record honoring a civil rights figure's contributions, and provides her family with formal recognition from the Georgia Senate of her legacy and life's work.

• The whereas clauses recount her early activism, including joining the NAACP youth group and participating in the Montgomery Bus Boycott at age 11.
• The resolution notes her role in a Highlander Folk School incident that helped popularize a new verse of "We Shall Overcome."
• It describes her later work in Atlanta founding the Vine City Community School and the Harambee Singers and her role with the city's Department of Parks and Recreation.
• The resolving clause states the Senate honors her life and legacy and commends her impact on past, present, and future generations.
• A further resolution clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available to her family.

1. 2025-03-31Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)

• civil rights history
• Senate resolution
• Atlanta arts programs
• voter registration history