Georgia CommonsSR 585: Washington, Booker T.; honoring
Last action January 27, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution honors Booker T. Washington, recognizing his work in education, civil rights, and economic empowerment, including his historic ties to Georgia.
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 LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution is a ceremonial measure passed by the Georgia Senate to honor Booker T. Washington, the educator and civil rights leader born into slavery in 1856. It recounts his contributions to Georgia, including his role at the 1895 Atlanta Exposition to the Cotton States, his advocacy that brought President Grover Cleveland to tour the Negro Building, his appearance at the Georgia Christian Worker Conference, and his $1,000 gift toward desegregating schools in Augusta, which led to a school there being named after him. The resolution also notes his role as an advisor to three U.S. presidents and his founding of the National Business League. It does not change any Georgia law; it simply directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally states that the Georgia Senate honors and uplifts the legacy of Booker T. Washington.
- Recites historical facts about Washington's contributions to education, civil rights, and Georgia specifically.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.
- Creates no new law, funding, or enforceable requirement, as a ceremonial resolution.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the historical record and public recognition of Booker T. Washington. It does not impose obligations on any group of Georgians, though it involves the Georgia Senate and its Secretary, who must distribute copies of the resolution.
Why it matters
As a ceremonial resolution, this measure has no legal effect on Georgians' daily lives. Its significance is symbolic, marking official recognition by the Georgia Senate of a historical figure's contributions to education and civil rights in Georgia and the nation.
Key provisions
- The resolution's whereas clauses detail Washington's biography, including his role at the 1895 Atlanta Exposition to the Cotton States and his $1,000 gift toward school desegregation in Augusta.
- The resolved clause states the Senate's intent to honor and uplift Washington's legacy.
- 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 honor and uplift the legacy of Booker T. Washington.”
“he personally contributed $1,000 toward the desegregation of schools in Augusta, Georgia, a gift that led to the naming of the first African American school in the city as Booker T. Washington High School”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
Topics
- Booker T. Washington
- Georgia Senate resolution
- civil rights history
- education history
- Atlanta Exposition