Iowa HR8: A Resolution to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa

What the bill says

A Resolution to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa.

From the introduced text, March 3, 2025:

A Resolution to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa. WHEREAS, Archie and Nancy Martin were born into slavery in the American South and began migrating north with their six adult children in 1913, moving from Austell, Georgia, to Ames, Iowa, in 1915; and WHEREAS, Archie found work as an assistant to the yardmaster with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and Nancy worked as a cook for a local doctor and a Greek house on the campus of the then-Iowa State College; and WHEREAS, Iowa State College welcomed students of color, and George Washington Carver, the first Black student at Iowa State College, graduated in 1896; and WHEREAS, until the late 1940s, it was unofficial policy at Iowa State College that Black students had to room together, creating difficulties in finding housing for the few Black students at Iowa State College and effectively forcing them to find housing off campus; and LSB 2930YH (4) -1- ss/jh 1/3 H.R. WHEREAS, Archie and three of his sons built the Martin House around 1919 at 218 Lincoln Way in Ames, Iowa, where it still stands to this day as a local historic landmark; and WHEREAS, Archie always believed in education as a means of getting ahead in life, and expressed …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Rob Johnson (D, 34) · primary sponsor
• Eddie Andrews (R, 43)
• Sean Bagniewski (D, 35)
• Lindsay James (D, 71)
• Aime Wichtendahl (D, 80)
• Bob Kressig (D, 75)
• Jr, Amos
• Jason Gearhart (R, 64)
• Rick Olson (D, 39)
• Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D, 49)
• Kenan Judge (D, 27)
• Ryan Weldon (R, 41)

Latest actions

1. March 4, 2025: Resolution adopted. H.J. 498 .
2. March 3, 2025: Resolution filed, laid over under Rule 25. H.J. 489 .

Common questions

What is HR8?

HR8 is a bill in the Iowa Legislature (91st General Assembly): A Resolution to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa.

What does HR8 do?

In its own words: A Resolution to recognize Archie and Nancy Martin and the contributions of the Martin family to the education of Black students in Iowa.

What is the status of HR8?

Passed both chambers as of March 4, 2025. Latest action: Resolution adopted. H.J. 498 . (March 4, 2025).

Who sponsored HR8?

Rob Johnson (D, 34), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HR8?

On the Iowa Legislature website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HR+0008&ga=91