Georgia SR 618: Johnson, Dr. Joyce Finch; celebrate

Bill Text

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S. R. 618
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Senate Resolution 618
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th, Butler of the 55th,
Anderson of the 43rd and others
A RESOLUTION
Celebrating Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson's 90th birthday; and for other purposes.1
WHEREAS, Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1922; and2
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson has had a gift and passion since early in life, learning to play piano3
by ear and performing her first recital at the age of 11; and4
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate in piano at Northwestern University in 1971,5
becoming the first Black woman to do so; and6
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is a longtime member laureate of the Sigma Alpha Iota7
International Music Fraternity, an organization founded to further the development of music8
in America and throughout the world; and9
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson has been the organist at Spelman College since 1955 and has10
performed on thousands of occasions in that time; and11
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is the professor emerita of music at Spelman, an institution which12
she taught at for more than 50 years; and13

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S. R. 618
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WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is the recipient of the Edward A. Hansen Leadership Award from14
the American Guild of Organists (AGO), one of the highest honors bestowed by the15
organization; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson celebrates her 90th birthday this year after decades of inspiring17
people of all ages and races to pursue their passion for music.18
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body19
celebrate Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson's 90th birthday and encourage all residents of the State of20
Georgia to explore the creative arts in honor of her legacy.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed22
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dr. Joyce Finch23
Johnson.24