--- title: HR 291. Mercer University Day at the state capitol; February 20, 2025; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr291 cite_as: HR 291, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr291 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr291.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr291/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70461 date: 2025-02-18 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/hr290.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr292.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr291.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 291 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-18 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Matt Reeves - Chuck Efstration - Soo Hong - Clint Crowe - Mary Ann Santos - Miriam Paris text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR291/2025 upstream_id: 1974181 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Mercer University - higher education - ceremonial resolution - Macon Georgia --- # HR 291. Mercer University Day at the state capitol; February 20, 2025; recognize ## Text House Resolution 291 By: Representatives Reeves of the 99th, Efstration of the 104th, Hong of the 103rd, Crowe of the 118th, Santos of the 117th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending Mercer University and recognizing February 20, 2025, as Mercer University Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, founded in 1833 and moved to Macon in 1871, Mercer University has provided 192 years of distinguished educational service in Georgia, establishing itself as a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; and WHEREAS, Mercer University enrolls more than 9,200 students across 12 schools and colleges, offering diverse academic programs in liberal arts and sciences, law, pharmacy, medicine, health professions, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing, and professional advancement while fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and service; and WHEREAS, the Georgia House Speaker's Chief of Staff Terry England serves as a Mercer University Trustee, and numerous Mercer University alumni hold esteemed leadership positions in the Georgia House of Representatives; and WHEREAS, Mercer University celebrated a record-setting year of student achievement in 2024, with 48 students earning 55 nationally and internationally competitive merit scholarships and fellowships; and WHEREAS, Mercer University's football team, the Mercer Bears, made history by winning the Southern Conference championship in 2024, adding to the university's legacy of athletic achievement; and WHEREAS, Mercer University's debate team earned national recognition by ranking third at the National Parliamentary Debate Association Tournament, and its Phi Beta Kappa chapter was honored as an Outstanding Chapter during the 47th Triennial Council in Washington, D.C.; and WHEREAS, Mercer University's mission, "To teach, to learn, to create, to discover, to inspire, to empower, and to serve," is exemplified through its transformative educational programs, global initiatives, and significant contributions to the cultural and social fabric of Macon, Middle Georgia, and beyond. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend Mercer University as well as its administration, faculty, staff, trustees, students, and alumni for the important contributions they have made to the State of Georgia and recognize February 20, 2025, as Mercer University Day at the state capitol. 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 Mercer University. ## 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 Mercer University and recognizes February 20, 2025 as Mercer University Day at the state capitol. ### Plain-language summary This House resolution is a ceremonial measure honoring Mercer University, a private university based in Macon that was founded in 1833. The resolution lists the university's history, its more than 9,200 students across 12 schools and colleges, and recent achievements including merit scholarships, a Southern Conference football championship, and national debate team recognition. The resolution formally commends the university's administration, faculty, staff, trustees, students, and alumni, and designates February 20, 2025 as Mercer University Day at the state capitol. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Mercer University. The resolution does not change any Georgia law, create any program, or spend any state funding. ### What it does - Commends Mercer University and its administration, faculty, staff, trustees, students, and alumni for their contributions to Georgia. - Officially recognizes February 20, 2025 as Mercer University Day at the state capitol. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Mercer University. ### Who it affects Mercer University and its administration, faculty, staff, trustees, students, and alumni are named directly. The resolution also references the Georgia House Speaker's Chief of Staff, who serves as a Mercer trustee, and House members who are Mercer alumni. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or financial effect; it does not change law, create programs, or allocate funding. Its practical significance is symbolic, giving Mercer University formal recognition from the Georgia House and a designated day at the state capitol. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses recount Mercer University's founding in 1833, its move to Macon in 1871, and its current enrollment of more than 9,200 students across 12 schools and colleges. - The whereas clauses cite specific 2024 achievements: 48 students earning 55 merit scholarships and fellowships, a Southern Conference football championship, and a third-place national debate ranking. - The resolved clause commends the university and recognizes February 20, 2025 as Mercer University Day at the state capitol. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy available for distribution to Mercer University. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-02-18) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-18) - Sponsors: Matt Reeves, Chuck Efstration, Soo Hong, Clint Crowe, Mary Ann Santos, Miriam Paris - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70461 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr291.md?full=1