1 HJR41
2 209833-2
3 By Representatives McCampbell, McCutcheon, Daniels, Alexander,
4 Allen, Baker, Ball, Bedsole, Blackshear, Boyd, Bracy, Brown
5 (C), Brown (K), Carns, Chestnut, Clarke, Clouse, Coleman,
6 Collins, Crawford, Dismukes, Drake, Drummond, Easterbrook,
7 Ellis, England, Estes, Farley, Faulkner, Faust, Fincher,
8 Forte, Garrett, Gaston, Givan, Gray, Greer, Grimsley, Hall,
9 Hanes, Harbison, Hatcher, Hill, Hollis, Holmes, Howard, Hurst,
10 Ingram, Isbell, Jackson, Jones (M), Jones (S), Kiel, Kitchens,
11 Lawrence, Ledbetter, Lee, Lipscomb, Lovvorn, Marques,
12 McClammy, McMillan, Meadows, Mooney, Moore (M), Moore (P),
13 Morris, Nordgren, Oliver, Pettus, Poole, Pringle, Rafferty,
14 Reynolds, Rich, Robbins, Robertson, Rogers, Rowe, Sanderford,
15 Scott, Sells, Shaver, Shedd, Shiver, Simpson, Smith, Sorrell,
16 Sorrells, South, Stadthagen, Standridge, Stringer, Sullivan,
17 Treadaway, Wadsworth, Warren, Wheeler, Whitt, Whorton, Wilcox,
18 Wingo, Wood (D) and Wood (R)
19 RFD: Rules
20 First Read: 09-FEB-21
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2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 MOURNING THE PASSING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
4 FORMER ALABAMA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE ALVIN HOLMES.
5
6 WHEREAS, on the 21st day of November 2020, former
7 Alabama House Representative Alvin Holmes departed this Earth,
8 leaving behind a legacy of dignity and conviction that still
9 inspires the people of Alabama; and
10 WHEREAS, Alvin Holmes began and ended his life in
11 the capital city of Montgomery, Alabama; a graduate of Alabama
12 State University, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi
13 Fraternity, he enjoyed successful careers as a college
14 professor and a real estate broker before joining the state
15 Democratic Executive Committee and winning election to the
16 Alabama House of Representatives in 1974; and
17 WHEREAS, one of the first African-American members
18 of the Alabama Legislature since the end of Reconstruction,
19 Alvin Holmes dedicated his political career to expanding and
20 securing the rights of all Alabamians, becoming known as the
21 "drum major for civil rights" around the State House; and
22 WHEREAS, the ever-outspoken Representative Alvin
23 Holmes lent his professorial nature to the Legislature,
24 bringing a historical perspective and providing vital context
25 to many debates; he was never afraid to offer his thoughts on
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1 legislation that crossed his path, nor to give remarks to any
2 legislator who did the same; it was only fitting that this
3 professor-turned-politician became Dean of the Alabama House
4 of Representatives; and
5 WHEREAS, Representative Alvin Holmes was a champion
6 for the disenfranchised and the forgotten, arguing for the
7 removal of Jim Crow-era language from the State Constitution,
8 the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Alabama
9 Capitol dome, the inclusion of sexual orientation in the state
10 hate crime statutes, and the establishment of Martin Luther
11 King, Jr. Day as a state holiday; and
12 WHEREAS, with his quick wit, panache for
13 constructive humor, and fearlessness to discuss controversial
14 issues, Alvin Holmes was a light in the House Chamber during
15 his 11 terms of office; although his eternal peace has been
16 well-earned by his good and faithful service, his presence
17 will forever be sorely missed; now therefore,
18 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
19 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Black Caucus of the
20 Alabama Legislature mourns the passing of the late
21 Representative Alvin Holmes, and celebrates his life and his
22 many accomplishments on behalf of the State of Alabama and all
23 its peoples.
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2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was adopted by the House 23-FEB-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
16 Senate 24-FEB-21 Adopted
17
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