Georgia CommonsHR 74: Lowery, Dr. Evelyn Gibson; condolences
Last action January 28, 2025 · House Read and Adopted
A Georgia House resolution honors the life and memory of Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, a civil rights leader and founder of SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc., and directs copies to be shared with the public and press.
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 LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives is a tribute rather than a change to state law. It recounts the life and work of Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery, who founded SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc. (Women's Organizational Movement for Equality Now Inc.) in 1979 and led decades of civil rights programming focused on health disparities, human rights, and economic self-sufficiency for women, children, and families. The resolution lists her achievements, including creating the Drum Major for Justice Awards Banquet, founding the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour in Alabama, and launching AIDS/HIV education efforts and mentoring programs. The House formally resolves to honor her memory and expresses gratitude for her contributions, and directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally honors the life and memory of Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Expresses the House's gratitude for her contributions to civil rights and community building.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a commemorative resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery's family, the organization she founded (SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc.), and its board, staff, and supporters, who are named as recipients of the House's tribute. It has no regulatory effect on the general public.
Why it matters
While the resolution does not change any law or policy, it represents an official statement by the Georgia House of Representatives recognizing a Georgian's civil rights legacy, which becomes part of the public legislative record and is shared with the press.
Key provisions
- The resolution recounts Dr. Lowery's founding of SCLC/W.O.M.E.N. Inc. in 1979 and its programs on health, human rights, and economic self-sufficiency.
- It notes her creation of the Drum Major for Justice Awards Banquet and the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour in Alabama in 1987.
- The resolving clause formally honors her life and expresses the House's gratitude for her civil rights contributions.
- A further resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery was the quintessential civil rights wife, woman, and warrior, remembered as a wise woman of substance who helped shape the Movement”
“the members of this body honor the life and memory of Dr. Evelyn Gibson Lowery and express the most sincere gratitude for her unparalleled contributions to civil rights”
Status timeline
- House Read and Adopted (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)
- Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
- Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
- Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)
- Al Williams (D, HD-168)
- Mekyah McQueen (D, HD-061)
Topics
- civil rights history
- commemorative resolution
- Georgia House of Representatives
- women's history