--- title: HR 2099. Hall, Reverend Gilbert; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr2099 cite_as: HR 2099, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2099 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2099.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2099/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74712 date: 2026-04-02 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/hr2098.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2100.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2099.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 2099 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-04-02 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Carl Gilliard text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR2099/2025 upstream_id: 2141034 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - civil rights history - Savannah - commendation resolution - Georgia House of Representatives --- # HR 2099. Hall, Reverend Gilbert; commend ## Text House Resolution 2099 By: Representative Gilliard of the 162nd A RESOLUTION Commending Reverend Gilbert Hall; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Reverend Gilbert Hall has earned distinction as one of Savannah's local Drum Majors for Justice through his service during the civil rights movement and his enduring presence in the Georgia coastal community; and WHEREAS, born in Statesboro, Georgia, Reverend Gilbert Hall graduated from Sophronia Tompkins High School in 1965 and subsequently served two years in the United States Army before returning to Georgia in 1967 during the height of the civil rights movement in the South; and WHEREAS, upon his return, he became actively involved in organized efforts to advance civil rights in Savannah, working alongside Reverend Hosea Williams and the Crusaders for Voting Rights to support community engagement and voter participation; and WHEREAS, he participated in organizing and protecting participants in civil rights demonstrations, attending community meetings at Connors Temple Church, where he had the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and supporting night rallies held at locations such as the Flamingo Club and Mexico City; and WHEREAS, under the guidance of the late Reverend Hosea Williams, he helped form the Crusaders alongside Ben Clarke, Ms. Billy Boy, the late Frances Bright Johnson, Mrs. Mamie Williams, and numerous local Black and women-owned businesses, all of whom contributed to organized efforts for justice in Savannah despite significant opposition, including tear gas, police brutality, and arrests; and WHEREAS, in addition to his role in the community, he is the proud father of four remarkable sons and one outstanding daughter; and WHEREAS, the life and service of Reverend Gilbert Hall stand as testament to the impact of community leadership and civic involvement, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that he be appropriately honored during this special time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Reverend Gilbert Hall for his decades of selfless and exemplary service on behalf of his fellow citizens as well as extend best wishes for future 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 Reverend Gilbert Hall. ## 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 commends Reverend Gilbert Hall of Savannah for his civil rights era activism and decades of community service. ### Plain-language summary This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honoring Reverend Gilbert Hall of Savannah. It recounts his background, including his time in the United States Army and his work during the civil rights movement alongside Reverend Hosea Williams and the Crusaders for Voting Rights, supporting voter engagement and civil rights demonstrations in Savannah. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally states the House's recognition of Hall's service and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him as a keepsake. ### What it does - Formally commends Reverend Gilbert Hall for his service during the civil rights movement and his community leadership in Savannah. - Extends the House's best wishes to Hall for future health and happiness. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Hall. - Creates no new law, funding, or ongoing obligation; it is a one-time honorary statement. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Reverend Gilbert Hall. It has no legal effect on other Georgians, agencies, or businesses; its only administrative effect is a task for the Clerk of the House of Representatives. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences for Georgians. Its significance is symbolic, formally recording the state legislature's recognition of an individual's civil rights era activism and public service for the historical record. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Hall's biography, military service, and civil rights activism in Savannah alongside Reverend Hosea Williams and the Crusaders for Voting Rights. - The resolving clause commends Hall for his service and wishes him future health and happiness. - A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy available for distribution to Hall. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-04-02) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-04-02) - Sponsors: Carl Gilliard - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74712 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr2099.md?full=1