Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 524: "Kumbaya"; the Gullah Geechee Anthem; commend
Last action March 6, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution formally recognizes the song "Kumbaya" as the official anthem of Gullah-Geechee culture, honoring its roots in the Sea Islands and its history as one of Georgia's earliest recorded folk songs.
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 the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It recognizes the song "Kumbaya," originally titled "Come by Here," as tied to the Gullah-Geechee culture of Georgia's Sea Islands. The resolution recounts the song's history, including its 1926 recording preserved by the Library of Congress and the role of Mr. H. Wylie, a Gullah-Geechee man who gave permission for it to be recorded. The resolution declares "Kumbaya" the official anthem of Gullah-Geechee culture and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press. It does not create new programs, spending, or legal requirements; it is a statement of recognition and honor passed by the House.
What the bill does
- Declares the song "Kumbaya" the official anthem of Gullah-Geechee culture as a formal statement of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Recounts and affirms the historical record of the song's 1926 recording and its preservation by the Library of Congress.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press.
- Creates no new laws, funding, or legal obligations; it is a symbolic honor rather than a change to Georgia statutes.
Who it affects
The resolution primarily honors the Gullah-Geechee community, whose cultural and musical heritage it recognizes. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is directed to distribute copies, but it imposes no obligations on the general public, businesses, or government agencies.
Why it matters
While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it gives official state recognition to the Gullah-Geechee community's cultural contributions and to the song's Georgia origins, which can raise public awareness and support cultural preservation and tourism efforts tied to Gullah-Geechee heritage.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses establish the historical background, including the song's 1926 recording and its connection to Mr. H. Wylie, a Gullah-Geechee man.
- The resolving clause formally recognizes "Kumbaya" as the official anthem of Gullah-Geechee culture.
- A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available for public and press distribution.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize "Kumbaya" as the official anthem of the Gullah-Geechee culture, honoring its historical importance and acknowledging the ongoing contributions of the Gullah-Geechee people to our state and nation.”
“Mr. H. Wylie, an African American of Gullah-Geechee heritage, granted permission for the song "Come by Here" to be recorded, marking a pivotal moment in the preservation of the spiritual and cultural contributions of the Gullah-Geechee community”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Al Williams (D, HD-168)
- Buddy DeLoach (R, HD-167)
- Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
- Carl Gilliard (D, HD-162)
- Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)
Topics
- Gullah-Geechee culture
- Georgia history
- state resolutions
- folk music heritage