HJR 302

HJR302 ENROLLED
1 HJR302
2 FKMXSC5-2
3 By Representatives Rigsby, Lomax, Reynolds, Moore (P), Whitt,
4 Crawford, Whorton, Hall, Lands, Daniels
5 RFD: Rules
6 First Read: 31-Mar-26
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1 Enrolled, An Act,
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3 COMMENDING SENATOR THOMAS WAYNE BUTLER ON HIS ACCOMPLISHED
4 CAREER OF SERVICE.
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6WHEREAS, highest commendations are herein conveyed to
7 Senator Thomas Wayne "Tom" Butler in recognition of the
8 vital role he has played in state leadership and his
9 unwavering personal commitment to the welfare and prosperity
10 of the residents of Alabama; and
11WHEREAS, he has diligently and conscientiously
12 devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy
13 to the betterment of his community and this state, as
14 dramatically evidenced by his distinguished and lengthy
15 service in the Alabama State Senate; and
16WHEREAS, Senator Butler was elected in 1994 to
17 represent the 2nd District of Alabama, encompassing eastern
18 Limestone County and western Madison County, including the
19 cities of Athens, Huntsville, and Madison; and
20WHEREAS, prior to his tenure in the Alabama Senate,
21 he honorably served as a member of the Alabama House of
22 Representatives from 1982 to 1994, initially representing
23 District 17 (1982–1983) and thereafter District 6 for the
24 remainder of his legislative service in that chamber; and
25WHEREAS, a native of Huntsville, Senator Butler is a
26 graduate of The University of Alabama and Auburn University;
27 a pharmacist and health underwriter by profession, he is
28 also an active member of Optimist International, the North
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29 Alabama Health Underwriters Association, and the Alabama
30 Pharmaceutical Association; and
31WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career in both
32 the House of Representatives and the Senate, his legislative
33 accomplishments have spanned a broad spectrum of public
34 policy, including his championship of major infrastructure
35 initiatives; he played an instrumental role in securing the
36 $92 million U.S. 72 widening project for his district and in
37 advocating for the four-laning of Alabama 53 from Huntsville
38 to the Tennessee state line; he also worked to secure $7
39 million in funding for a replacement Saturn IB rocket at the
40 Alabama Welcome Center in Ardmore; and
41WHEREAS, his steadfast conservative leadership has
42 helped guide Madison and Limestone Counties to new heights
43 of growth and opportunity; a true working legislator, he
44 authored and sponsored the BRAC Education Bill, which
45 brought $175 million to local schools, and he authored the
46 legislation that enabled the City of Madison to establish
47 its own school system; he also secured funding for The
48 University of Alabama in Huntsville Applied Sciences Center
49 and the National Space Science and Technology Center; and
50WHEREAS, a staunch advocate for Alabama's veterans,
51 Senator Butler sponsored legislation to construct state
52 veterans' nursing homes in Huntsville and Bay Minette, and
53 successfully secured funding for the Veterans Museum and
54 Archives in Athens, as well as for the Alabama Veterans'
55 Assistance Fund; and
56WHEREAS, drawing upon his professional expertise as a
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57 pharmacist, Senator Butler authored and secured funding for
58 legislation placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
59 in schools, government buildings, and volunteer fire
60 departments statewide; he also sponsored "right to choose"
61 legislation to ensure patients could select their own
62 pharmacy and worked diligently to reduce the cost of
63 prescription medications for Alabama families; and
64WHEREAS, Senator Butler served with distinction on
65 numerous House and Senate committees, including as Chair of
66 the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and as a member
67 of the Finance and Taxation, Fiscal Responsibility and
68 Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and
69 Healthcare Committees; and
70WHEREAS, beyond his legislative service, Senator
71 Butler has remained deeply committed to faith and community,
72 serving as an active member of University Baptist Church,
73 including as a missionary to South America; he is also
74 affiliated with Gideons International, the Alabama
75 Republican Executive Committee, the Community Free Clinic
76 Board, and the Calhoun Community College Foundation Board;
77 and
78WHEREAS, Senator Butler readily acknowledges that
79 none of these accomplishments would have been possible
80 without the love, steadfast support, and encouragement of
81 his wife, Karen, a registered nurse; his daughter, Robin, a
82 registered nurse; and his late daughter, Jill, who
83 faithfully served as a teacher at Monrovia Elementary
84 School; and
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85WHEREAS, it is the sense of this Legislature that
86 Senator Butler's legacy will endure not only in the roads
87 built, schools strengthened, and lives changed through his
88 legislative efforts, but also in the integrity, conviction,
89 and servant leadership with which he conducted himself,
90 setting a standard of principled public service that will
91 long inspire those who follow in his footsteps; now
92 therefore,
93BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
94 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That in recognition of his
95 exemplary and devoted service to the Alabama Legislature and
96 to the people of this state, Senator Thomas Wayne Butler is
97 hereby honored and commended, and this resolution is offered
98 to him in highest tribute and deepest appreciation, with
99 sincere gratitude for a legacy defined by faith, fortitude,
100 and dedicated service to Alabama, along with best wishes as
101 he embarks upon his well-earned retirement.
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111________________________________________________
112Speaker of the House of Representatives
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116________________________________________________
117President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
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120House of Representatives
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122I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
123 and was passed by the House 01-Apr-26.
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125John Treadwell
126Clerk
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132 Senate  09-Apr-26  Adopted
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