SR1103: SR1103 Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World; commend

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, a Black fraternal organization founded in 1898 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The resolution recounts the organization's history, including its founding by Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard and the 1902 creation of its women's auxiliary, the Daughters of Elks, by Emma Virginia Kelly. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally commends the organization for its work in education, youth development, medical services, veterans affairs, and community service, and wishes it continued success. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the organization.

• Formally commends the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World for its service, education, and community work.
• Recites the organization's founding history, including its 1898 establishment in Cincinnati and the 1902 founding of its Daughters of Elks auxiliary.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the organization.
• Extends the Georgia Senate's best wishes for the organization's continued success.

The resolution directly names the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World and its members. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with preparing and distributing a copy of the resolution to the organization.

This resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight. It does not create funding, rules, or requirements, but it formally records the Georgia Senate's recognition of the organization's history and community contributions, which the organization can keep as an official record.

• The whereas clauses describe the organization's founding on September 28, 1898, in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard.
• The whereas clauses note the 1902 founding of the Daughters of Elks auxiliary by Emma Virginia Kelly in Norfolk, Virginia.
• The resolved clause has the Senate commend the organization for its work in service, education, and community advancement.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to the organization.

1. 2026-04-02Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-04-02Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)Primary sponsor

• Georgia Senate resolution
• community organizations
• fraternal organizations
• civic honors