Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 471: Arab American Heritage Month; recognize April 2025
Last action March 27, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month, honoring the contributions and heritage of Arab Americans in the state.
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 ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It states that Arab Americans have contributed to American society for over a century in fields like medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, and culture, and that Georgia is proud of its Arab American residents. The resolution formally declares that the Senate recognizes April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to the public and the press. The measure does not create any new programs, funding, or legal requirements.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month through a Senate resolution.
- States the Senate's appreciation for the historical and cultural contributions of Arab Americans in Georgia and the nation.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects Arab American residents of Georgia, whose heritage and contributions it recognizes. It does not impose obligations on any business, agency, or individual beyond directing the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies.
Why it matters
Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change any rights, funding, or requirements. Its significance is symbolic: it represents formal state recognition of Arab American heritage and contributions during April 2025.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses describe Arab American contributions to medicine, law, business, education, technology, government, military service, and culture.
- The resolved clause designates April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month in Georgia.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize April 2025 as Arab American Heritage Month.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-5)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Derek Mallow (D, SD-2)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-15)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Donzella James (D, SD-28)
- Nabilah Parkes (D, SD-7)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-9)
- Emanuel Jones (D, SD-10)
- Shawn Still (R, SD-48)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Jason Esteves (D, SD-35)
- Harold Jones II (D, SD-22)
Topics
- Arab American Heritage Month
- Georgia Senate resolutions
- cultural recognition