HR1568: HR1568 Arnold, Mercedes A.; receiving the 2026 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Mercedes A. Arnold for receiving the 2026 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award, an honor given each year during Women's History Month by the Georgia Women's Legislative Caucus. The award is named for former Representative Nikki T. Randall, the first African American woman elected to the General Assembly from middle Georgia. The resolution recounts Arnold's record of public service, including leading an economic boycott march in Savannah, organizing voter registration drives, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, supporting AIDS patients in Atlanta during the 1980s, working as a Field Director for the NAACP, and serving on bodies such as the Savannah Economic Opportunity Authority. It directs the Clerk of the House to send Arnold a copy of the resolution. As a resolution, it does not change any Georgia law.

• Formally congratulates and commends Mercedes A. Arnold for receiving the 2026 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award.
• Recites her record of civic and humanitarian work, including voter registration organizing, Peace Corps service, and NAACP advocacy.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Arnold.
• Extends the House's best wishes for her continued success, without creating any new legal requirement or funding.

The resolution directly names Mercedes A. Arnold, a Savannah-based community leader, and references organizations she has worked with, including the NAACP, the Savannah Economic Opportunity Authority, and the Georgia State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

This is a ceremonial honor rather than a change in law or policy. Its practical effect is limited to formal recognition: the House records its praise for Arnold's service and provides her with an official copy of the resolution.

• The whereas clauses describe the history of the Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award and Arnold's community, civil rights, and public health service.
• The first resolving clause has the House congratulate and commend Arnold for receiving the 2026 award.
• The second resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to Arnold.

1. 2026-03-03House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-03House Hopper (House)

• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)Primary sponsor

• Georgia House resolution
• community service award
• Savannah
• civil rights advocacy
• Women's History Month