Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 1129: Elkins, Penny L., Ph.D; commend
Last action January 28, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A House resolution from the Georgia General Assembly formally commends Dr. Penny L. Elkins on becoming Mercer University's 19th president, the first woman to hold the post.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Dr. Penny L. Elkins, who became Mercer University's 19th president on January 1, 2026. It recounts her more than 30 year career in education, her prior role as senior vice president for enrollment management, and achievements such as an 80 percent increase in freshman enrollment and a 47 percent increase in the total residential undergraduate population. The resolution notes she is the first female president in Mercer's nearly 200 year history and the first Mercer graduate to hold the position since 1979. It formally commends her and directs the Clerk of the House to send her a copy of the resolution. It does not change any Georgia law.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Penny L. Elkins for her career in education and her election as Mercer University's president.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Dr. Elkins.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulation; it is a ceremonial statement of praise adopted by the House.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Dr. Penny L. Elkins and Mercer University. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians, businesses, or state agencies.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial consequence and changes no Georgia statute. Its significance is symbolic, giving official recognition from the state legislature to Dr. Elkins' career and her historic appointment as Mercer University's first female president.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses describe Dr. Elkins' background, including over 30 years in education and her prior role as senior vice president for enrollment management.
- The resolved clause commends Dr. Elkins for her lifetime of service and congratulates her on becoming Mercer University's president.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Elkins.
From the bill
“President Elkins is not only the first female president in the university's nearly 200-year history, but also the first Mercer graduate to serve as president since 1979”
Discussed in meetings (1)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21)
From 0:37:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk read HR 1129, commending Mercer University’s president. The presenting member recognized the president’s appointment as the university’s first woman president and described more than 25 years of service at Mercer. The member said Mercer serves more than 9,000 students and highlighted its healthcare education, research and ties to Macon. The university president thanked the House and emphasized student success, careers and community service. The chair expressed support for continuing the state’s partnership with Mercer. No vote was recorded during the presentation.
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)
- Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
- Miriam Paris (D, HD-142)
- Dale Washburn (R, HD-144)
- Matt Reeves (R, HD-99)
- Robert Flournoy (D, HD-74)
Topics
- Mercer University
- higher education
- commendation resolution
- Georgia House of Representatives