HR 1190: 117th Founders Day of the NAACP; recognize

House Resolution 1190

By: Representatives Reese of the 140th, Hugley of the 141st, Willis of the 55th, Crawford of the 89th, and Olaleye of the 59th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 117th Founders Day of the NAACP; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is celebrating its 117th Founders Day, recognizing their commitment to justice, equality, and the upliftment of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, the founding of the NAACP on February 12, 1909, was a pivotal moment in American history, sparked by a call to action led by Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard, William English Walling, and Dr. Henry Moscowitz, all descendants of famous abolitionists; and

WHEREAS, these visionary leaders, alongside W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Mary Church Terrell convened to address the urgent need for racial justice in the United States, bringing together diverse voices, united in their fight against racial discrimination and inequality; and

WHEREAS, Mary White Ovington, a descendant of the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, and Oswald Garrison Villard, a descendant of the prominent abolitionist and journalist, both played key roles in founding the NAACP, committing themselves to the cause of civil rights and social justice, and contributing to the organization's early activism and efforts to combat racial injustice; and

WHEREAS, William English Walling and Dr. Henry Moscowitz, whose call to convene the first meeting to address the violence and discrimination faced by African Americans, helped catalyze the creation of an organization that would later grow into one of the most powerful advocates for civil rights in American history; and

WHEREAS, the contributions of W. E. B. Du Bois, a pioneering scholar and activist, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a fearless anti-lynching crusader, were indispensable to the formation of the NAACP, providing intellectual leadership and moral clarity in the struggle for racial justice. Likewise, Mary Church Terrell's advocacy for women's rights and African-American equality remains a cornerstone of the organization's foundational values, and

WHEREAS, the Georgia NAACP, throughout its storied history, has been at the forefront of advocating for civil rights, ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, employment, and housing for all people regardless of race, and fostering political, social, and economic justice; and

WHEREAS, the work of the Georgia NAACP, from organizing protests to engaging in litigation, lobbying, and public education, has been instrumental in dismantling the structures of segregation and discrimination, paving the way for future generations to continue the fight for racial justice and equality; and

WHEREAS, the 117th Founders Day honors the resilience, courage, and tireless efforts of the individuals who have contributed to this movement, past and present, and renews the commitment to carrying forward their vision of a world in which all people can live in dignity and without fear of discrimination; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia NAACP continues to stand resolutely against systemic racism and injustice, pushing for transformative change in our laws, policies, and institutions, striving to create a future of equal opportunities for all, regardless of race or background; and

WHEREAS, on this special day, we reflect on the ongoing need for the NAACP's work, acknowledging both the progress we have made and the work that remains to achieve true racial equality and justice in Georgia and across the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commemorate the 117th Founders Day, recognizing the vision, perseverance, and leadership of those who laid the foundation of the NAACP, and recommit to advancing the cause of civil rights for all people in Georgia and beyond. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia NAACP.