Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 397: James, Dr. Kevin; recognize
Last action March 18, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College, for restoring the college's accreditation and leading its recovery.
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 Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This is a commemorative resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes Dr. Kevin James, the 19th president of Morris Brown College, for restoring the college's accreditation in 2022 after nearly two decades without it, making Morris Brown the first historically Black college or university to achieve that. The resolution describes his work stabilizing the college's finances, expanding academic programs, boosting fundraising and enrollment, and his service on several boards, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church Worldwide and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The Senate resolves to commend him and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send him a copy of the resolution as a keepsake.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Kevin James for his leadership as president of Morris Brown College.
- States the Senate's praise for restoring the college's accreditation in 2022, the first HBCU to do so after losing it.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Dr. Kevin James.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of the Senate's position.
Who it affects
The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Kevin James and, by extension, Morris Brown College. It does not impose obligations on any other group, agency, or member of the public.
Why it matters
This resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians; it is a symbolic honor. Its main real-world consequence is a formal Senate document recognizing Dr. James's work restoring Morris Brown College's accreditation, which affected the college's access to federal financial aid.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses recount Dr. James's record, including securing full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools on April 26, 2022.
- The whereas clauses note this restored eligibility for federal financial aid and Title IV funding and reinstated participation in the Title III Strengthening HBCUs program.
- The resolving clause commends Dr. James and extends best wishes for his continued success.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Dr. James.
From the bill
“restoring the institution's accreditation after nearly two decades, making it the first historically Black college and university to accomplish this significant achievement”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Donzella James (D, SD-28)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
- Jason Esteves (D, SD-35)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
Topics
- Morris Brown College
- higher education
- historically Black colleges and universities
- Georgia Senate resolutions