SR 83: Morehouse School of Medicine; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a law that changes anyone's rights or obligations. It recounts the history of Morehouse School of Medicine, from its origins as an idea proposed by Dr. Louis Brown in 1969 through its founding as a two-year program at Morehouse College in 1978, its independence in 1981, and its growth into a four-year medical school by 1985. The resolution notes that the school has graduated 3,283 students, including 1,867 physicians, with about 60 percent of MD graduates who finished residency now practicing in Georgia. The Senate formally commends the school on its 50th anniversary and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the school as a keepsake.

• Formally commends Morehouse School of Medicine on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in Georgia.
• Recites the school's history, including its 1978 founding, 1981 independence, and 1985 establishment as a four-year medical school.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Morehouse School of Medicine.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory change; it is purely a commendation.

The resolution directly names Morehouse School of Medicine and its leadership, including President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice. It also references the school's students, graduates, and the Georgia communities served by its physicians, though it imposes no obligations on any of them.

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change any rights, funding, or rules. Its practical effect is symbolic: it places the Georgia Senate's formal recognition of the medical school's 50-year history and workforce impact on the public record.

• The whereas clauses trace the school's history from a 1969 proposal to its founding in 1978 and full accreditation as a four-year school in 1985.
• The resolution states that 3,283 students, including 1,867 physicians, have graduated, with about 60 percent of MD graduates in residency practicing in Georgia.
• The resolving clause formally commends the school on its 50th anniversary.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Morehouse School of Medicine.

1. 2025-02-03Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-01-30Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)Primary sponsor
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Colton Moore (R, SD-053)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)

• Morehouse School of Medicine
• medical education
• Georgia Senate resolution
• healthcare workforce