---
title: HR 1357. Thompson, Kenan; commend
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1357
cite_as: HR 1357, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1357
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1357.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1357/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73216
date: 2026-02-12
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1356.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1358.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 134
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1357.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1357
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-02-12
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Inga Willis
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1357/2025
upstream_id: 2116232
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - ceremonial resolution
  - Kenan Thompson
  - Georgia House of Representatives
  - Atlanta entertainers
---

# HR 1357. Thompson, Kenan; commend

## Text

House Resolution 1357
By: Representative Willis of the 55th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Kenan Thompson; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Atlanta native Kenan Thompson is an internationally known comedian,
entertainer, author, and producer; and
WHEREAS, Kenan's talents were shaped and honed in the Alliance Theatre School, the
Atlanta Boy's Choir, community theater, plays at Hillside International Chapel and Truth
Center, the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, and numerous school plays,
including at his alma mater, Tri-Cities High School; and
WHEREAS, he made his movie debut in D2: The Mighty Ducks in 1994, and made his TV
debut, also in 1994, as a cast member of Nickelodeon's sketch comedy series All That, which
led to the spinoff show Kenan and Kel, co-starring Kel Mitchell, in 1996; and
WHEREAS, continuing his career in sketch comedy, Kenan joined the cast of Saturday
Night Live (SNL) in 2003; and
WHEREAS, now, in his 23rd season on the iconic, late-night series, Kenan is the
longest-running cast member in the program's history; and
WHEREAS, from 2017 through 2021, Kenan was nominated for six Primetime Emmy
Awards for his work on both SNL and his NBC series Kenan, which he executive produced
and starred in; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Kenan released his memoir, When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons,
Funny Stories, & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown, and last month,
he released a delightful children's book called Unfunny Bunny; and
WHEREAS, Kenan has contributed innumerably to the entertainment industry, and his
remarkable accomplishments bring great pride the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia;
and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this
distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend Kenan Thompson and extend the most
sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.
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
Kenan Thompson.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution formally recognizes and commends Atlanta native and entertainer Kenan Thompson for his career achievements in comedy and television.

### Plain-language summary

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Kenan Thompson, an Atlanta-born comedian and entertainer known for his long tenure on Saturday Night Live and other projects. The resolution recounts his career, from his early training in Atlanta arts programs and schools through his roles on Nickelodeon's All That and Kenan and Kel, his more than two decades on SNL, his NBC series Kenan, and his published memoir and children's book.
The resolution does not change any Georgia law or create any new program. It simply states that the House recognizes and commends Thompson and wishes him continued health and happiness, and directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for delivery to him.

### What it does

- Formally states that the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes and commends Kenan Thompson for his entertainment career.
- Recounts Thompson's biography and career highlights, including his Atlanta upbringing and work on All That, Kenan and Kel, and Saturday Night Live.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Thompson.
- Extends the House's best wishes to Thompson for continued health and happiness.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names and honors Kenan Thompson. It does not impose duties, costs, or requirements on any other group of Georgians, businesses, or government agencies beyond the Clerk of the House, who must prepare a copy for distribution.

### Why it matters

This resolution carries no legal or financial effect and does not change any Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it is an official statement by the Georgia House of Representatives publicly honoring a Georgia-connected public figure's career.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses detail Thompson's Atlanta arts training and career, including his role on Saturday Night Live and his memoir and children's book.
- The resolving clause states the House recognizes and commends Thompson and wishes 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 Thompson.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-02-12)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-02-12)
- Sponsors: Inga Willis
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73216

> The history, votes, and amendments (134 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1357.md?full=1