SR791: SR791 Morris Brown College Day; recognize March 16, 2026

This resolution from the Georgia Senate recognizes March 16, 2026 as Morris Brown College Day at the state capitol. It recounts the college's history: founded by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia, chartered by the state in May 1885 as the first Georgia institution solely under African American patronage, and opened in October 1885 with Mary McCree as principal. It notes the first graduating class received diplomas in 1890 and that the college has educated students for more than 130 years. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It simply formally recognizes the day and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Morris Brown College.

• Formally designates March 16, 2026 as Morris Brown College Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Morris Brown College.
• Recites historical facts about the college's 1885 founding and charter but creates no new legal requirements or funding.

Morris Brown College, its students, alumni, and administrators, as well as members of the Georgia Senate who are recognizing the day; the resolution has no regulatory or financial effect on other groups.

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It gives official state recognition to Morris Brown College's history and contributions but does not create funding, programs, or legal obligations for the college or the state.

• The resolved 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 provide a copy of the resolution to Morris Brown College.
• The whereas clauses describe the college's 1885 founding by AME Church ministers and its 1890 first graduating class as historical background.

1. 2026-02-18Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-17Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• Morris Brown College
• historically Black colleges
• Georgia Senate resolution
• education history