SJR 119

SJR119 ENROLLED
1 SJR119
2 DG4CMTT-2
3 By Senators Gudger, Albritton, Allen, Barfoot, Beasley, Bell,
4 Carnley, Chambliss, Chesteen, Coleman, Coleman-Madison,
5 Elliott, Figures, Givhan, Hatcher, Hovey, Jones, Kelley,
6 Kitchens, Livingston, Melson, Orr, Price, Roberts, Sessions,
7 Shelnutt, Singleton, Smitherman, Stewart, Stutts, Waggoner,
8 Weaver, Williams, Woods
9 RFD: Rules
10 First Read: 08-Apr-26
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1 Enrolled, An Act,
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4 SJR___ COMMENDING SENATOR THOMAS WAYNE BUTLER ON HIS
5 ACCOMPLISHED CAREER OF SERVICE.
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7WHEREAS, highest commendations are herein conveyed to
8 Senator Thomas Wayne "Tom" Butler in recognition of the
9 vital role he has played in state leadership and his
10 unwavering personal commitment to the welfare and prosperity
11 of the residents of Alabama; and
12WHEREAS, he has diligently and conscientiously
13 devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy
14 to the betterment of his community and this state, as
15 dramatically evidenced by his distinguished and lengthy
16 service in the Alabama State Senate; and
17WHEREAS, Senator Butler was elected in 1994 to
18 represent the 2nd District of Alabama, encompassing eastern
19 Limestone County and western Madison County, including the
20 cities of Athens, Huntsville, and Madison; and
21WHEREAS, prior to his tenure in the Alabama Senate,
22 he honorably served as a member of the Alabama House of
23 Representatives from 1982 to 1994, initially representing
24 District 17 (1982–1983) and thereafter District 6 for the
25 remainder of his legislative service in that chamber; and
26WHEREAS, a native of Huntsville, Senator Butler is a
27 graduate of The University of Alabama and Auburn University;
28 a pharmacist and health underwriter by profession, he is
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29 also an active member of Optimist International, the North
30 Alabama Health Underwriters Association, and the Alabama
31 Pharmaceutical Association; and
32WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career in both
33 the House of Representatives and the Senate, his legislative
34 accomplishments have spanned a broad spectrum of public
35 policy, including his championship of major infrastructure
36 initiatives; he played an instrumental role in securing the
37 $92 million U.S. 72 widening project for his district and in
38 advocating for the four-laning of Alabama 53 from Huntsville
39 to the Tennessee state line; he also worked to secure $7
40 million in funding for a replacement Saturn IB rocket at the
41 Alabama Welcome Center in Ardmore; and
42WHEREAS, his steadfast conservative leadership has
43 helped guide Madison and Limestone Counties to new heights
44 of growth and opportunity; a true working legislator, he
45 authored and sponsored the BRAC Education Bill, which
46 brought $175 million to local schools, and he authored the
47 legislation that enabled the City of Madison to establish
48 its own school system; he also secured funding for The
49 University of Alabama in Huntsville Applied Sciences Center
50 and the National Space Science and Technology Center; and
51WHEREAS, a staunch advocate for Alabama's veterans,
52 Senator Butler sponsored legislation to construct state
53 veterans' nursing homes in Huntsville and Bay Minette, and
54 successfully secured funding for the Veterans Museum and
55 Archives in Athens, as well as for the Alabama Veterans'
56 Assistance Fund; and
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57WHEREAS, drawing upon his professional expertise as a
58 pharmacist, Senator Butler authored and secured funding for
59 legislation placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
60 in schools, government buildings, and volunteer fire
61 departments statewide; he also sponsored "right to choose"
62 legislation to ensure patients could select their own
63 pharmacy and worked diligently to reduce the cost of
64 prescription medications for Alabama families; and
65WHEREAS, Senator Butler served with distinction on
66 numerous House and Senate committees, including as Chair of
67 the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, and as a member
68 of the Finance and Taxation, Fiscal Responsibility and
69 Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and
70 Healthcare Committees; and
71WHEREAS, beyond his legislative service, Senator
72 Butler has remained deeply committed to faith and community,
73 serving as an active member of University Baptist Church,
74 including as a missionary to South America; he is also
75 affiliated with Gideons International, the Alabama
76 Republican Executive Committee, the Community Free Clinic
77 Board, and the Calhoun Community College Foundation Board;
78 and
79WHEREAS, Senator Butler readily acknowledges that
80 none of these accomplishments would have been possible
81 without the love, steadfast support, and encouragement of
82 his wife, Karen, a registered nurse; his daughter, Robin, a
83 registered nurse; and his late daughter, Jill, who
84 faithfully served as a teacher at Monrovia Elementary
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85 School; and
86WHEREAS, it is the sense of this Legislature that
87 Senator Butler's legacy will endure not only in the roads
88 built, schools strengthened, and lives changed through his
89 legislative efforts, but also in the integrity, conviction,
90 and servant leadership with which he conducted himself,
91 setting a standard of principled public service that will
92 long inspire those who follow in his footsteps; now
93 therefore,
94BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
95 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That in recognition of his
96 exemplary and devoted service to the Alabama Legislature and
97 to the people of this state, Senator Thomas Wayne Butler is
98 hereby honored and commended, and this resolution is offered
99 to him in highest tribute and deepest appreciation, with
100 sincere gratitude for a legacy defined by faith, fortitude,
101 and dedicated service to Alabama, along with best wishes as
102 he embarks upon his well-earned retirement.
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109________________________________________________
110President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
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114________________________________________________
115Speaker of the House of Representatives
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118 SJR119
119 Senate 08-Apr-26
120 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
121 passed the Senate.
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123Patrick Harris,
124Secretary.
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129 House of Representatives
130 Passed: 09-Apr-26
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135 By: Senator Gudger
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