SJR 9

SJR9 ENROLLED
1 SJR9
2 U9R1RXD-2
3 By Senators Allen, Albritton, Barfoot, Beasley, Bell, Butler,
4 Carnley, Chambliss, Chesteen, Coleman, Coleman-Madison,
5 Elliott, Figures, Givhan, Gudger, Hatcher, Hovey, Jones,
6 Kelley, Kitchens, Livingston, Melson, Orr, Price, Roberts,
7 Sessions, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smitherman, Stewart, Stutts,
8 Waggoner, Weaver, Williams, Woods
9 RFD: Rules
10 First Read: 14-Jan-26
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1 Enrolled, An Act,
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4 SJR___ MOURNING THE DEATH AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THE
5 HONORABLE SAMUEL ALAN HARPER.
6
7WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
8 passing of our former colleague and friend, The Honorable
9 Samuel Alan Harper, of Alabaster, Alabama, on December 18,
10 2025, at the age of 68; and
11WHEREAS, born and reared in Northport, Alabama, Alan
12 Harper earned his baccalaureate degree from The University
13 of Alabama in 1986; the university honored him as the School
14 of Communications Alumnus of the Year in 2001; among many
15 other accolades and awards, he was selected as Man of the
16 Year by the Aliceville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and
17 Legislator of the Year by the Economic Development
18 Association of Alabama in 2012; and
19WHEREAS, Mr. Harper's career evidenced his commitment
20 to public service; during his decade-long career with the
21 Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority, his work
22 was pivotal in bringing numerous companies, more than 4,000
23 jobs, and more than $500,000,000 in capital investment to
24 the area, including the development and launch of the
25 Tuscaloosa County Mercedes facility; and
26WHEREAS, Mr. Harper also served as the City Manager
27 of Aliceville and as Retail Development Director for the
28 City of Northport; his public service continued as State
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29 Representative to House District 61 from 2006 to 2018;
30 during his tenure he served on many committees, including
31 Chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism
32 Committee; he also served on several civic organizations,
33 including Rotary International, which recognized him as a
34 Paul Harris Fellow; and
35WHEREAS, Alan Harper was a highly skilled woodworker
36 and fabulous cook; he was well-known to use the outdoor
37 kitchen he built to cook the crappie that he freshly fished
38 from Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway; he was a devoted husband,
39 father, and "Pop" to his grandchildren; and
40WHEREAS, Alan Harper was preceded in death by his
41 parents, Faye Ingram Harper and Samuel Henry Harper; he will
42 be remembered by his wife, Jean Harper; sons, Sam (Samantha)
43 and Brant (Karen); grandchildren, Tatum, Maddux, and
44 Brantley; he is also survived by the mother of his sons,
45 Mary Jean Sutton, and a host of nieces, nephews, and
46 friends; and
47WHEREAS, Alan Harper's legacy was built on a lifetime
48 of compassion, service, and unwavering commitment to others,
49 and his presence will be missed by all those who were
50 fortunate to know him; now therefore,
51BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
52 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of The Honorable
53 Samuel Alan Harper is recorded with deep sadness, and this
54 resolution is in honor of his life and legacy and with
55 heartfelt sympathy to his family, whose grief is shared by
56 many.
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63________________________________________________
64President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
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68________________________________________________
69Speaker of the House of Representatives
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72 SJR9
73 Senate 14-Jan-26
74 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
75 passed the Senate.
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77Patrick Harris,
78Secretary.
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83 House of Representatives
84 Passed: 22-Jan-26
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89 By: Senator Allen
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