Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 591: Spelman Day; recognize
Last action January 27, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Senate resolution recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol, commending Spelman College in Atlanta for its history, academic record, and impact on 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 resolution from the Georgia Senate formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol. It highlights Spelman College's founding in 1881 as the oldest historically Black college for women in the United States and cites statistics about its enrollment, academic programs, faculty credentials, graduation rate, and alumnae network. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement in which the Senate commends Spelman College for its academic excellence, leadership development, and contributions to Georgia's workforce and communities. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to representatives of Spelman College.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol as a designated occasion for the Senate.
- Commends Spelman College for its academic history, leadership development programs, and community impact.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Spelman College representatives.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate.
Who it affects
Spelman College, its students, faculty, staff, and alumnae are named directly in the resolution. Members of the Georgia Senate and visitors to the Capitol on Spelman Day are also involved in the recognition described in the text.
Why it matters
The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians but publicly honors Spelman College's role in higher education and its alumnae network across the state, and it formalizes an event where students, faculty, and policymakers can interact at the Capitol.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses describe Spelman College's founding in 1881, its academic rankings, enrollment figures, and graduation statistics.
- The resolution notes Spelman College's more than 20,000 alumnae worldwide and their presence in Georgia's workforce and civic life.
- The resolving clause formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol and commends the college.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Spelman College representatives.
From the bill
“Spelman College is the number one producer of Black women who complete doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines, according to the National Science Foundation”
“the members of this body recognize Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol and commend Spelman College for its enduring legacy of academic excellence, leadership development, and service”
Discussed in meetings (1)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
Senate floor session, January 29, 2026 (legislative day 9)
From 1:17:38 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk read SR 591, recognizing Spelman Day and commending the college's academic work, leadership development and service. The Senate adopted the resolution without objection. The sponsor described Spelman as the oldest historically Black college for women in the United States and said it enrolls approximately 2,500 students from 43 states and 10 foreign countries. Spelman's interim president said graduates contribute to Georgia's workforce in health care, education, technology, public service and entrepreneurship. The interim president cited the college's national rankings, thanked lawmakers for HOPE and other financial aid, and described philanthropic gifts supporting student completion, academics and campus improvements.
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
Topics
- Spelman College
- higher education
- Georgia Senate resolution
- historically Black colleges
- Atlanta