--- title: HR 851. Davis, James L.; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr851 cite_as: HR 851, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr851 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr851.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr851/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71861 date: 2025-03-28 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 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/hr850.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr852.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr851.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 851 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-28 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - Reynaldo Martinez - David Clark - Charles Cannon - Scott Hilton - Gary Richardson - Danny Mathis text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR851/2025 upstream_id: 2016618 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commendation resolution - Georgia House of Representatives - civil rights history - military veterans --- # HR 851. Davis, James L.; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3546 House Resolution 851 By: Representatives Martinez of the 111th, Clark of the 100th, Cannon of the 172nd, Hilton of the 48th, Richardson of the 125th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating James L. Davis; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, James L. Davis was born on March 31, 1923, in Lexingto n, Mississippi, and2 this year he enjoys the rare distinction of celebrating his 102nd birthday; and3 WHEREAS, as a youth, his family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was reared and4 educated, and in 1939, he became a member of the Paramount Golf Club, the first Black golf5 club west of the Mississippi; and6 WHEREAS, James L. Davis served thereafter as a guardian of this nation's freedom and7 liberty with the United States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow8 Americans during World War II, receiving numerous awards for ou tstanding service, and9 retiring at the rank of Sergeant; and10 WHEREAS, following his honorable discharge, he worked as a member, owner, and trainer11 at the Cahokia Downs and Fairmont Horse Racetracks in Illinois, gaining recognition as a12 trainer extraordinaire and earning distinction on the United States Field Trial Circuit; and13 H. R. 851 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3546 WHEREAS, during the Civil Rights Movement, James L. Davis was broadly recognized for14 his leadership in bringing fair housing to Black residents in S t. Louis, and he continues to15 serve as a faithful patriarch to his church, family, and community; and16 WHEREAS, this distinguished gentleman has given inspiration to many through his high17 ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens; and18 WHEREAS, James L. Davis possesses the vast wisdom which only co mes through19 experience and the strength of character which is achieved thro ugh overcoming the many20 challenges of life; and21 WHEREAS, by the example James L. Davis has made of his life, he makes this world a22 better place in which to live, and it is only fitting and prope r that he be appropriately23 recognized during this very special and memorable time.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that25 the members of this body commend James L. Davis for his unselfish, dedicated, and loving26 service to the members of his family and community; congratulat e him on the remarkable27 occasion of his 102nd birthday; and extend their most sincere b est wishes for continued28 health and happiness.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to James31 L. Davis.32 H. R. 851 - 2 - ## 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 James L. Davis of St. Louis, a World War II Army veteran and civil rights era fair housing leader, on his 102nd birthday. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, a type of measure that honors a specific person rather than changing any law. It recognizes James L. Davis, who was born in Lexington, Mississippi in 1923 and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, on the occasion of his 102nd birthday. The resolution recounts his life story: joining the first Black golf club west of the Mississippi in 1939, serving in the United States Army during World War II and retiring as a Sergeant, working as a horse trainer and owner at Illinois racetracks, and leading efforts to bring fair housing to Black residents of St. Louis during the Civil Rights Movement. The House formally commends him for his service to family and community and directs the Clerk of the House to send him a copy of the resolution. ### What it does - Formally commends James L. Davis for his service to his family and community and congratulates him on his 102nd birthday. - Recites his biography, including World War II Army service, work as a horse trainer in Illinois, and civil rights era fair housing leadership in St. Louis. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to James L. Davis. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a commendation resolution. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors James L. Davis. It also involves the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who is directed to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to him. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its practical effect is limited to formally recognizing Davis's life and achievements and providing him with an official copy of the House's commendation. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Davis's birth in 1923 in Lexington, Mississippi, his upbringing in St. Louis, and his 1939 membership in the first Black golf club west of the Mississippi. - The whereas clauses describe his World War II service in the United States Army, where he retired at the rank of Sergeant. - The whereas clauses describe his post-military career as a horse trainer and owner at the Cahokia Downs and Fairmont Horse Racetracks in Illinois. - The whereas clauses credit him with leadership in bringing fair housing to Black residents of St. Louis during the Civil Rights Movement. - The resolved clause has the House commend and congratulate Davis and wish him continued health and happiness. - The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Davis. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-28) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-03-28) - Sponsors: Reynaldo Martinez, David Clark, Charles Cannon, Scott Hilton, Gary Richardson, Danny Mathis - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71861 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr851.md?full=1