--- title: SR 397. James, Dr. Kevin; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr397 cite_as: SR 397, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr397 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr397.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr397/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71381 date: 2025-03-18 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/sr396.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr398.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr397.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 397 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-18 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Donzella James - Michael Rhett - Nan Orrock - Derek Mallow - Jason Esteves - Randal Mangham - Tonya Anderson - Gail Davenport - Kenya Wicks - Sally Harrell - RaShaun Kemp - Elena Parent text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR397/2025 upstream_id: 2006968 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - higher education - historically Black colleges and universities - Morris Brown College - legislative commendation --- # SR 397. James, Dr. Kevin; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3372 Senate Resolution 397 By: Senators James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Orrock of th e 36th, Mallow of the 2nd, Esteves of the 35th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Dr. Kevin James; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Dr. Kevin James currently serves as the 19th president of Morris Brown2 College, where his vision and expertise have been instrumental in restoring the institution's3 accreditation after nearly two decades, making it the first his torically Black college and4 university to accomplish this significant achievement; and5 WHEREAS, under his leadership, Morris Brown College secured full accreditation from the6 Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools on April 26, 2022, restoring the7 institution's eligibility for federal financial aid programs an d Title IV funding as well as8 reinstating its participation in the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities9 program under Title III; and10 WHEREAS, with more than 23 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and11 executive leader, Dr. James has spearheaded efforts to stabilize the college's finances, expand12 academic offerings, increase fundraising, implement a five-year strategic plan, and achieve13 record-breaking enrollment; and14 S. R. 397 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3372 WHEREAS, his exemplary service extends beyond Morris Brown Coll ege through active15 participation on the boards of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Worldwide, the16 Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the Historic Oakland17 Foundation, among others; and18 WHEREAS, widely regarded as a leading voice in higher education , Dr. James is a19 sought-after keynote speaker, mentor, and advocate who frequently addresses topics related20 to historically Black colleges and universities, equity and inc lusion, and the unique21 challenges faced by minority-serving institutions; and22 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkab le individual be23 appropriately honored during this special time.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body25 recognize and commend Dr. Kevin James for his outstanding leade rship as president of26 Morris Brown College and his dedication to higher education as well as extend best wishes27 for continued success.28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed29 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dr. Kevin James.30 S. R. 397 - 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 Senate resolution recognizes and commends Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College, for restoring the college's accreditation and his leadership in higher education. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia Senate honoring Dr. Kevin James, the 19th president of Morris Brown College. It highlights his role in restoring the college's accreditation in 2022, ending a lapse of nearly two decades and making Morris Brown the first historically Black college and university to achieve this. The resolution also notes his work stabilizing the college's finances, expanding academic programs, boosting fundraising, and increasing enrollment. The resolution states that the Senate recognizes and commends Dr. James for his leadership and dedication to higher education, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to him. It does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial statement of praise. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Dr. Kevin James for his leadership as president of Morris Brown College. - States the Senate's praise for his role in restoring the college's accreditation and improving its finances and enrollment. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Dr. James. - Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it has no regulatory or funding effect. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College. It also references Morris Brown College itself, a historically Black college in Atlanta, but does not impose any obligations on the college, students, or the public. ### Why it matters This resolution has no legal effect on Georgians; it is a symbolic honor. Its significance is limited to publicly acknowledging Dr. James's work at Morris Brown College, particularly the college's 2022 accreditation restoration, in the official record of the Georgia Senate. ### Key provisions - The preamble (whereas clauses) describes Dr. James's tenure as Morris Brown College's 19th president and the restoration of its accreditation on April 26, 2022. - The resolved clause has the Senate recognize and commend Dr. James for his leadership and dedication to higher education. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Dr. James. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-18) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-18) - Sponsors: Donzella James, Michael Rhett, Nan Orrock, Derek Mallow, Jason Esteves, Randal Mangham, Tonya Anderson, Gail Davenport, Kenya Wicks, Sally Harrell, RaShaun Kemp, Elena Parent - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71381 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr397.md?full=1