Georgia CommonsHR 1496: Nichols, Robert Elmo, Sr.; honoring the life and legacy; condolences
Last action February 25, 2026 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life of Robert Elmo Nichols, Sr., a Montford Point Marine and Norfolk Naval Supply Center employee, and offers condolences to his family.
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 LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives commemorates Robert Elmo Nichols, Sr., who was born in 1923 in Norfolk, Virginia and became one of the first African Americans allowed to join the United States Marine Corps after a 1942 policy change under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He trained at Montford Point in North Carolina, later earned a degree and an Army Reserve commission, taught elementary school, and worked 34 years at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center. In 2011 he received the Congressional Gold Medal alongside other Montford Point Marines. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally expresses the House's condolences on his passing and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to his family.
What the bill does
- Formally states that the Georgia House of Representatives honors the life and legacy of Robert Elmo Nichols, Sr.
- Expresses the House's sincere regret and condolences on his passing.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to his family.
Who it affects
This resolution directly names and honors Robert Elmo Nichols, Sr. and his family, who will receive a copy of it. It has no regulatory effect on the broader public, businesses, or government agencies.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences; it is a formal, symbolic statement by the Georgia House recognizing an individual's life, military service as a Montford Point Marine, and civilian career, and offering condolences to his family.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Nichols's birth, education, Marine Corps service at Montford Point, Army Reserve career, teaching career, and 34 years at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center.
- The resolved clause has the House join in honoring his life and legacy and expressing regret at his passing.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy available for distribution to his family.
From the bill
“the members of this body join in honoring the life and legacy of Robert Elmo Nichols, Sr., and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Eric Bell (D, HD-075)
- Angela Moore (D, HD-091)
- Dexter Sharper (D, HD-177)
- Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)
- Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)
Topics
- honorary resolution
- military history
- Montford Point Marines
- Georgia House of Representatives