---
title: HR 359. Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence; Black History Month; honor
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr359
cite_as: HR 359, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr359
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr359.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr359/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70686
date: 2025-02-21
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.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr359.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 359
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-21
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Billy Mitchell
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR359/2025
upstream_id: 1980045
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Black History Month
  - Georgia House resolutions
  - African American history
  - economic empowerment
---

# HR 359. Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence; Black History Month; honor

## Text

House Resolution 359
By: Representative Mitchell of the 88th
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence in honor of Black History
Month; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, founder of the TIUA School of Business, Trinity
International Chaplaincy Institute, Trinity International University of Ambassadors Corp.,
and Trinity Girls Network Corp., stands as an advocate for Black history and economic
empowerment; and
WHEREAS, in honor of Black History Month, the TIUA School of Business proudly
presents The Economic Empowerment Summit and The Black Excellence Historic Brunch,
held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, recognizing individuals who have made
extraordinary contributions to society; and
WHEREAS, the United States was envisioned in 1776 as a nation dedicated to the
proposition in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty,
and the pursuit of Happiness"; and
WHEREAS, Africans were forcibly brought to the United States as early as the 17th century,
enduring enslavement, segregation, and the denial of fundamental rights of citizenship; and
WHEREAS, despite these injustices, African Americans have demonstrated resilience,
striving for equality and contributing to the economic, political, and cultural advancements
of the United States; and
WHEREAS, African Americans such as Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth,
Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr., Rosa Parks, and countless others have worked against racism, inspiring change and
achieving monumental success in various fields; and
WHEREAS, many unsung African American heroes lived, toiled, and paved the way for
future generations to succeed, yet they remain unrecognized; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Black History Month originated in 1926 when Dr. Carter G.
Woodson, the "Father of Black History," established Negro History Week, which evolved
into the modern observance of Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on
September 24, 2016, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., preserving and celebrating
the rich legacy of African Americans; and
WHEREAS, February serves as a time to reflect on the complexity of the United States'
history, acknowledging the progress made and the work still necessary to achieve true
equality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body celebrate Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence,
recognizing the contributions of African Americans throughout history; honor Black History
Month, reflecting on the resilience, creativity, and perseverance of African Americans and
their impact on the nation; encourage the celebration of Black History Month as an
opportunity for all Americans to learn, honor the past, and remain hopeful for the future; and
recognize that the United States, while born a divided nation, continues to strive for unity and
justice for all people, honoring the legacies of those who fought for liberty and equality.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
public and the press.

## 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 Black History Month and celebrates Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence, recognizing contributions of African Americans and events hosted by the TIUA School of Business.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives celebrates Black History Month by honoring Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence. It highlights Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, founder of several educational and business organizations, and the Economic Empowerment Summit and Black Excellence Historic Brunch held at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The resolution reviews history, from the forced enslavement of Africans beginning in the 17th century to the achievements of figures such as Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It also notes the 1926 origin of Black History Month under Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The House resolves to celebrate these contributions, encourage nationwide observance of Black History Month, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

### What it does

- Formally celebrates Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence during Black History Month on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Recognizes Dr. Jacqueline Mohair and the TIUA School of Business for hosting the Economic Empowerment Summit and Black Excellence Historic Brunch.
- Encourages all Americans to use Black History Month as an opportunity to learn about history and reflect on progress toward equality.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

### Who it affects

This resolution primarily recognizes Dr. Jacqueline Mohair and her affiliated organizations, along with African American historical figures and communities honored during Black History Month. It also directs an administrative action by the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

### Why it matters

As a ceremonial resolution, it does not change Georgia law but publicly records the legislature's recognition of Black History Month and specific individuals and events, which can raise awareness and provide formal acknowledgment for local honorees.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses recount African American history, from forced enslavement through the civil rights era, and the 1926 founding of Black History Month by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.
- The resolved clause has the House celebrate Black Economic Empowerment and Black Excellence and honor Black History Month.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press, a standard administrative step for ceremonial resolutions.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-21)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-21)
- Sponsors: Billy Mitchell
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70686

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr359.md?full=1