Summary — H.R. 715 (House Resolution): Commending Alvin J. Copeland
Status: House Read and Adopted (May 23, 2025)
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Classification: House Resolution (honorary)
Purpose and intent
H.R. 715 is an honorary resolution recognizing and commending Alvin J. Copeland for a 47‑year career in education and athletics. The resolution celebrates his accomplishments as a teacher, coach, athletic director, mentor, and community leader, and directs that an appropriate copy of the resolution be made available to him.
Key provisions
- Officially recognizes and commends Alvin J. Copeland for his service to students and contributions to Georgia education and athletics.
- Summarizes Copeland’s career milestones, team achievements, and Hall of Fame inductions.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Alvin J. Copeland.
No policy, regulatory, or budgetary changes are proposed. The resolution is purely honorary and carries no binding legal or fiscal effect.
Notable factual details contained in the resolution
- Career span: 47 years in education and athletics.
- Early service: Monroe County Board of Education at Hubbard High School (Forsyth, GA), 1964–1967 — health & physical education teacher; assistant coach (football, basketball); head coach (track & field).
- Long tenure: Northeast High School (Macon, GA), joined in 1970; taught health & physical education through 2000; department chairman 1973–2000; athletic director and head coach of cross country, girls basketball, and girls/boys track & field through retirement in 2011.
- Team achievements (selected):
- Girls basketball: 5 Georgia State Championships (1975, 1981, 1982, 1985, 2002); state runner‑up (1980, 2001); third place (1974, 1976); 16 regional titles (1972–2011).
- Boys track & field: State championships (1975, 1977); state runner‑up (1974); 8 regional titles (1970–1977).
- Girls track & field: 6 state championships (1979, 1982, 1986, 2000, 2001, 2002); 28 regional titles (1979–2009).
- Hall of Fame inductions include:
- Fort Valley State University Hall of Fame (1981)
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (2000)
- Macon Sports Hall of Fame (2004)
- Georgia Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame (2012)
- Georgia High School Coaches Hall of Fame (2012)
- Fort Valley State University Athletics Hall of Fame (2015)
- Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Basketball Hall of Fame (2024)
Who is affected
Primary effect is honorary recognition of Alvin J. Copeland. The resolution also acknowledges the students, school communities, and athletic programs he influenced; there are no regulatory, financial, or administrative impacts on government programs or private parties.
Sponsors and procedural timeline
- Primary sponsors (as listed): Steve Womack; Anissa Jones; Dewey McClain; Derrick Jackson; Tangie Herring; Mekyah McQueen. (Additional cosponsors are listed in the bill text.)
- Key legislative actions:
- 2025-01-23: Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
- 2025-03-25: House Read and Adopted; House First Readers; House Hopper
- 2025-04-01: Filed
- 2025-04-07: Referred to Local & Consent Calendars
- 2025-05-22: Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
- 2025-05-23: Placed on Congratulation & Memorial Res. Calendar; Laid before the House; Adopted (nonrecord vote); Reported enrolled
Impact summary
H.R. 715 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Alvin J. Copeland’s lifetime achievements in education and high school athletics. It has symbolic value, publicly recognizing his legacy; it does not create legal obligations, appropriations, or policy changes.
