Georgia CommonsSenate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
SR 639: Clark Atlanta University Day; recognize February 2, 2026
Last action January 29, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day at the state capitol, honoring the university's history, achievements, and its president, George T. French, Jr.
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 is a ceremonial measure from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It designates February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day at the state capitol, marking the occasion with a series of statements praising the university's history, academic programs, research centers, economic impact on Georgia, notable alumni, and recent large philanthropic gifts. The resolution also commends the university's president, George T. French, Jr., for his leadership and long service to higher education in Georgia. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Clark Atlanta University and to President French. The resolution creates no new rules, funding, or legal requirements; it is a formal expression of recognition by the Senate.
What the bill does
- Formally designates February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Commends President George T. French, Jr. for his leadership and long service to higher education in Georgia.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Clark Atlanta University and its president.
- Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the Senate.
Who it affects
This resolution directly names Clark Atlanta University and its president, George T. French, Jr., as the honorees. It has no regulatory effect on other institutions, businesses, or residents; its practical impact is limited to the university and the ceremonial proceedings of the Georgia Senate.
Why it matters
Because this is a ceremonial resolution rather than a law, it does not change anyone's rights, obligations, or funding. Its main effect is public recognition of Clark Atlanta University's history and contributions, delivered through a formal Senate document and copies sent to the university.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day at the state capitol.
- A further resolved clause commends President George T. French, Jr. for his leadership and advocacy in higher education.
- A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the university and its president.
From the bill
“the members of this body recognize February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day at the state capitol.”
“Clark Atlanta University was the nation's first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African-American student population”
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, February 2, 2026 (legislative day 10)
From 0:51:12 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate adopted SR 639, recognizing February 2, 2026, as Clark Atlanta University Day, without objection. The presenting senator described the university's history of expanding access to higher education for people historically excluded from it. A second senator highlighted major gifts, corporate partnerships and research initiatives under the university's leadership. The university president thanked senators for bipartisan support and said the institution served more than 4,000 students. The president described the university's contributions to workforce preparation and research in cancer, data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-36)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-9)
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-34)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-17)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
- Michael 'Doc' Rhett (D, SD-33)
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-35)
- Freddie Powell Sims (D, SD-12)
- Donzella James (D, SD-28)
- David Lucas (D, SD-26)
Topics
- Clark Atlanta University
- higher education
- Georgia Senate resolution
- HBCU recognition