---
title: HR 168. Thomas, Dr. David A.; retirement from Morehouse College; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr168
cite_as: HR 168, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr168
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr168.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr168/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69915
date: 2025-02-04
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/hr167.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr169.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr168.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 168
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-04
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - El-Mahdi Holly
  - Bryce Berry
  - Eric Bell
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR168/2025
upstream_id: 1955692
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Morehouse College
  - higher education
  - ceremonial resolution
  - Georgia House of Representatives
---

# HR 168. Thomas, Dr. David A.; retirement from Morehouse College; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 168
By: Representatives Holly of the 116th, Berry of the 56th, and Bell of the 75th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Dr. David A. Thomas upon his retirement from Morehouse
College; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Dr. David A. Thomas has long been recognized for the vital role that he has
played in leadership and his deep personal commitment to the welfare of the students,
faculty, and staff of Morehouse College; and
WHEREAS, installed in 2018, Dr. Thomas led a dynamic, purpose-driven, and
record-breaking tenure as the 12th president of Morehouse College; and
WHEREAS, guided by his expertise, the college transitioned from experiencing structural
deficits to funding significant campus projects, enhancing its technology infrastructure, and
offering competitive pay to its employees; and
WHEREAS, he oversaw an unprecedented fund-raising acceleration that has generated over
$240 million, a giving total higher than any other president in the college's 157 year-long
history; and
WHEREAS, due to his exemplary leadership, Morehouse College has extended its reach by
launching its first online degree programs and has amplified its positioning as a center of
intellectual discourse and social engagement in areas such as global leadership, professional
equity, social justice, and innovation; and
WHEREAS, the strategic theme of "Morehouse Beyond Borders" has included milestone
successes such as the creation of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship with the Black
Economic Alliance and Spelman College as well as the establishment of both the Black
Men's Research Institute and the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership's Higher
Education in Prisons program; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this distinguished individual be
appropriately honored.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend Dr. David A. Thomas for his efficient,
effective, unselfish, and dedicated service as the 12th president of Morehouse College;
congratulate him upon the grand occasion of his retirement; 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 Dr.
David A. Thomas.

## 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 honors Dr. David A. Thomas for his tenure as the 12th president of Morehouse College and marks his retirement from the role.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing Dr. David A. Thomas as he retires from the presidency of Morehouse College. It does not change any Georgia law; it praises his leadership since being installed in 2018, noting fundraising of more than $240 million, new online degree programs, and the creation of initiatives such as the Center for Black Entrepreneurship and the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership's Higher Education in Prisons program.

The resolution formally commends Thomas for his service, congratulates him on his retirement, and wishes him continued health and happiness. It also directs the Clerk of the House to prepare an official copy of the resolution for distribution to him.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and commends Dr. David A. Thomas for his service as the 12th president of Morehouse College.
- Congratulates Thomas on his retirement and extends wishes for his continued health and happiness.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Thomas.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change; it is a ceremonial statement by the House.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names Dr. David A. Thomas and Morehouse College. It has no regulatory effect on other Georgians, institutions, or state programs; it is a symbolic honor rather than a policy change.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no practical legal effect on Georgians outside of formally documenting the House's recognition of Thomas's tenure. Its significance is symbolic, serving as an official record of appreciation for his leadership at Morehouse College.

### Key provisions

- The resolved clause recognizes and commends Thomas for his service as Morehouse College's 12th president and congratulates him on retiring.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Thomas.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-04)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-04)
- Sponsors: El-Mahdi Holly, Bryce Berry, Eric Bell
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69915

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr168.md?full=1