GA SR679

Designates February 17, 2026, as Bishop William "Bill" Harris Day in Georgia to honor the civil rights activist and religious leader who passed away on December 9, 2025

Bishop Harris (born February 1, 1943, in Albany, Georgia) was a field worker for SNCC and SCLC, founding member of the Atlanta SCLC chapter, and marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Hosea Williams during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement

Founded and served as retired pastor of Bethel Church Ministries, Inc. in Monroe, Georgia after being called to ministry in 1977; held multiple leadership positions in the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ denomination

Was beaten, jailed, and attacked by police dogs during civil rights protests; served as an original member of The Freedom Singers and participated in the Mississippi March and Moore's Ford Bridge March

Secretary of the Senate directed to provide a copy of the resolution to Bishop Harris's family