--- title: SR 1103. Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr1103 cite_as: SR 1103, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1103 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1103.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1103/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74692 date: 2026-04-02 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. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1102.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1104.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1103.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 1103 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-04-02 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Harold Jones text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR1103/2025 upstream_id: 2141008 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - fraternal organizations - community service - Georgia Senate resolutions - civic recognition --- # SR 1103. Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 1103 By: Senator Jones II of the 22nd A RESOLUTION Commending the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World has grown into the largest Black fraternal organization in the world with more than 500,000 members across over 1,500 lodges, advancing programs that support education, youth development, and community service; and WHEREAS, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World was formally established on September 28, 1898, in Cincinnati, Ohio, when Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard organized Alpha Lodge No. 1 to create a fraternal organization for people of color; and WHEREAS, despite facing persistent legal challenges and discriminatory opposition, the organization endured and expanded its reach, strengthening its mission and presence across the nation and beyond; and WHEREAS, on June 13, 1902, Emma Virginia Kelly organized the Daughters of Elks in Norfolk, Virginia, establishing an auxiliary body that further broadened the organization's impact, with Norfolk Temple No. 1 recognized as the first temple; and WHEREAS, guided by principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly and Sisterly Love, and Fidelity, the organization has developed numerous departments, including education, medical services, veterans affairs, youth programs, civil liberties, and historical preservation; and WHEREAS, through these initiatives, the organization has provided scholarships, supported youth through educational and enrichment programs, and delivered extensive community service efforts that continue to uplift individuals and families; and WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to honor the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World during this special time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World for its enduring commitment to service, education, and community advancement as well as extend best wishes for continued success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World. ## 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 Senate resolution commends the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World for its history of community service, education, and youth programs. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, a Black fraternal organization founded in 1898 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The resolution recounts the organization's history, including the founding of its women's auxiliary, the Daughters of Elks, in 1902, and its growth into an organization with more than 500,000 members and over 1,500 lodges. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends the organization for its work in education, youth development, and community service, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the organization as a keepsake. ### What it does - Formally commends the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World on behalf of the Georgia Senate. - Recites the organization's founding history and its work in education, veterans affairs, youth programs, and community service. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World and its members, as well as the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with distributing a copy of the resolution to the organization. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or financial effect and changes no Georgia statute. Its practical impact is symbolic: it gives the organization formal recognition from the Georgia Senate and a keepsake copy of the resolution honoring its history and community work. ### Key provisions - The resolution recites the organization's founding on September 28, 1898, in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard. - It notes the 1902 founding of the Daughters of Elks auxiliary by Emma Virginia Kelly in Norfolk, Virginia. - The resolving clause commends the organization for its work in service, education, and community advancement. - A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to the organization. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-04-02) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-04-02) - Sponsors: Harold Jones - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74692 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1103.md?full=1