Georgia CommonsHouse · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 572: Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church; occasion of its 160th anniversary; recognize
Last action March 11, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon for its 160th anniversary and its history in the Civil Rights Movement.
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 resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1865, on its 160th anniversary. It recounts the church's history, including rebuilding after its original building was destroyed in 1869, and its role hosting major Civil Rights Movement figures such as Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who gave a sermon there in 1957. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends the church for its service and history and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the church as a keepsake.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon on its 160th anniversary.
- Recounts the church's history, including its 1865 founding and rebuilding after its original building was destroyed in 1869.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the church.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of the House of Representatives.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and its congregation in Macon. It has no effect on other individuals, businesses, or government agencies, since it does not alter any law or program.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial consequences and changes no Georgia law. Its significance is symbolic: it places on the official record the House of Representatives' recognition of the church's 160-year history and its role in local and national Civil Rights history.
Key provisions
- The 'whereas' clauses recount the church's founding in 1865 and rebuilding after its original building was destroyed in 1869.
- The resolution notes the church hosted Dr. Benjamin E. Mays in 1954 and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as a Women's Day speaker the same year.
- The resolution notes the church hosted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on September 19, 1957, for his only major Macon speech.
- The resolving clause commends the church's 160 years of service and wishes it continued growth and success.
- The final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute a copy of the resolution to the church.
From the bill
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on September 19, 1957, for his only major speech in Macon, wherein over 600 attendees braved heavy rain to hear his sermon titled "There is No East and No West"”
“the members of this body recognize the rich history of Steward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, commend its 160 years of dedicated service to the Lord and community”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
- Robert Flournoy (D, HD-74)
- Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
- Tremaine Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
- Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)
Topics
- Macon history
- Civil Rights Movement
- African Methodist Episcopal Church
- legislative commendation