Georgia CommonsSR 791: Morris Brown College Day; recognize March 16, 2026
Last action February 18, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes March 16, 2026, as Morris Brown College Day at the state capitol, honoring the historically Black college founded in 1885.
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 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It recognizes March 16, 2026, as Morris Brown College Day at the state capitol. The resolution recounts the history of Morris Brown College, founded by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Georgia and chartered by the state in May 1885, making it the first Georgia institution solely under African American patronage. It notes the school opened in October 1885 with Mrs. Mary McCree as principal and graduated its first class in 1890. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to Morris Brown College for distribution.
What the bill does
- Formally designates March 16, 2026, as Morris Brown College Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Recites the historical founding and chartering of Morris Brown College by the AME Church in 1885.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Morris Brown College.
- Does not create any new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as a resolution of this kind is purely ceremonial.
Who it affects
Morris Brown College and its students, faculty, and alumni are honored by this resolution. Members of the Georgia Senate participate in the recognition, and the Secretary of the Senate is tasked with delivering a copy of the resolution to the college.
Why it matters
The resolution carries no legal or financial effect but publicly acknowledges Morris Brown College's history as Georgia's first institution founded solely under African American patronage, giving the college formal recognition at the state capitol.
Key provisions
- The resolving clause recognizes March 16, 2026, as Morris Brown College Day at the state capitol.
- A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Morris Brown College.
- The whereas clauses summarize the college's 1885 founding, its 1885 state charter, and over 130 years of educating students.
From the bill
“Morris Brown College of the AME Church was granted a charter from the State of Georgia in May, 1885, becoming the first institution in the state solely under African American patronage”
“the members of this body recognize March 16, 2026, as Morris Brown College Day at the state capitol”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Donzella James (D, SD-028)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
- Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
Topics
- Morris Brown College
- historically Black colleges
- Georgia Senate resolution
- higher education history