HR988: HR988 The Savannah Tribune; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors The Savannah Tribune, one of the earliest African American owned and operated newspapers in the United States. It recounts the paper's founding in 1875 by John H. DeVeaux, Louis B. Toomer, Sr., and Louis M. Pleasant, its early closure due to white printers refusing to produce it, its reopening in 1886, and its various owners over the decades including Sol C. Johnson, Willa Ayers Johnson, Robert E. James, and Shirley Barber James. The resolution formally recognizes the newspaper as a beacon in journalism, celebrates its 150th anniversary on June 28, 2025, and commends its legacy of covering issues affecting African Americans locally, regionally, and nationally. It directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Shirley Barber James, the paper's current publisher.

• Formally recognizes The Savannah Tribune as a beacon in journalism on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
• Commends the newspaper's 150 years of operation, marking the anniversary date of June 28, 2025.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to publisher Shirley Barber James.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is a ceremonial statement rather than a change to Georgia statutes.

The resolution directly names and honors The Savannah Tribune newspaper and its publisher, Shirley Barber James. It also recognizes the historical legacy of past owners and editors, including John H. DeVeaux, Sol C. Johnson, Willa Ayers Johnson, and Robert E. James.

While the resolution carries no legal or funding consequences, it gives official state recognition to a historically significant African American newspaper, publicly acknowledging its role covering civil rights era news and its continued operation in Savannah's journalism community.

• The whereas clauses trace the newspaper's history from its 1875 founding as The Colored Tribune through name changes, closures, and reopenings.
• The resolved clause recognizes The Savannah Tribune as a beacon in journalism and celebrates its 150th anniversary on June 28, 2025.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to publisher Shirley Barber James.

1. 2025-04-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-04House Hopper (House)

• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)Primary sponsor
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)

• Savannah history
• African American history
• journalism
• legislative commendation