SJR 86

SJR86 191593-3 By Senators Beasley, Albritton, Allen, Blackwell, Brewbaker, Bussman, Chambliss, Coleman-Madison, Dial, Dunn, Figures, Glover, Hightower, Holley, Holtzclaw, Livingston, Marsh, McClendon, Melson, Orr, Pittman, Reed, Sanders, Sanford, Scofield, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smith, Smitherman, Stutts, Waggoner, Ward, Whatley and Williams RFD: First Read: 06-MAR-18 SJR86 SJR86 ENROLLED, SJR86, COMMENDING SENATOR HENRY "HANK" SANDERS FOR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA. WHEREAS, highest commendations and congratulations are herein extended to our good friend and colleague, the Honorable Henry "Hank" Sanders, for outstanding professional achievement and service to the citizens of the State of Alabama; and WHEREAS, Senator Hank Sanders, elected to the Alabama State Senate in 1983, champions issues affecting education, children, health care, women, tax reform, constitutional reform, and more; and WHEREAS, for 16 years, he served as Chairman of the Finance and Taxation Education Committee, which handles the multi-billion dollar state education budget; and WHEREAS, Senator Sanders has served in the Alabama Senate for three decades and received many awards and recognitions, including being named "Legislator of the Year" by various organizations and induction into the African Walk of Fame in Durban, South Africa; and SJR86 WHEREAS, he writes a weekly column entitled "Senate Sketches," which is published in various newspapers, on the Internet, and in other publications; and WHEREAS, he is a graduate of Talladega College; earned a special scholarship to attend Boston College; and earned his Law Degree from Harvard Law School; and WHEREAS, Senator Sanders was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship that sent him to Africa for a year and a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship that sent him to Huntsville, Alabama, to work for the poor with the Madison County Legal Aid Society; and WHEREAS, in 1971, Senator Sanders began what became Chestnut, Sanders, Sanders, Pettway and Campbell, LLC, which at the time, was the largest Black law firm in Alabama and one of the ten largest in the country; and WHEREAS, Sanders' practice was one of service; helping poor and Black people save their lands, protecting people's constitutional rights, challenging corporate abuse and helping build strong governments to serve all people; and WHEREAS, he has helped found and build many organizations and institutions, including the Alabama New South Coalition, where he is currently President Emeritus; 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement; the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute; the Slavery and Civil War Museum; and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; and SJR86 WHEREAS, Senator Sanders has a self-published book entitled, "Take a Walk in My Shoes", which is a compilation of several Senate Sketches; in 2004, he published his first novel, "Death of a Fat Man"; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Senator Henry "Hank" Sanders is highly honored and commended, and this resolution is offered to him in deepest admiration and appreciation for his immeasurable service, as well as with sincere best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors. SJR86 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives SJR86 Senate 06-MAR-18 I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution originated in and was adopted by the Senate. Patrick Harris, Secretary. House of Representatives Adopted: 13-MAR-18 By: Senator Beasley