SR910: SR910 Abernathy Sr., Rev. Dr. Ralph David; condolences

This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate recognizing Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy Sr., who was born in Linden in 1926 and became a major figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. It recounts his military service in World War II, his education, his ministry at West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, his role co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his leadership of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Poor People's Campaign. The resolution formally expresses the Senate's regret at his passing on April 17, 1990, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution. It does not change any Georgia law; it is a ceremonial tribute.

• Formally honors the life and memory of Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy Sr. on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
• Expresses the Senate's deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill.

This resolution primarily affects the family and legacy of Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy Sr., as well as the Georgia Senate and its Secretary, who is directed to prepare and distribute a copy of the tribute.

While the resolution carries no legal or regulatory effect, it represents an official statement by the Georgia Senate recognizing a nationally significant civil rights leader tied to Georgia's history, and it produces a distributable document commemorating his contributions.

• The whereas clauses recount Rev. Dr. Abernathy's birth in 1926, military service, education, ministry, and civil rights leadership, including co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
• The resolved clause has the Senate formally honor his life and memory and express regret at his passing.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make an appropriate copy available for distribution.

1. 2026-03-06Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)

• civil rights history
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• Ralph David Abernathy
• commemorations