1 HJR103
2 211409-2
3 By Representatives McCutcheon, Sanderford, Ball, Whorton,
4 Daniels, Whitt and Reynolds
5 RFD: Rules
6 First Read: 09-MAR-21
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 HJR103
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2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 COMMENDING MRS. SONCERIA ANN BISHOP BERRY AS THE
4 FIRST BLACK SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
5
6 WHEREAS, it is an honor to extend highest
7 commendations to Mrs. Sonceria Ann Bishop Berry as the first
8 black Secretary of the United States Senate; and
9 WHEREAS, after four decades in Washington, D.C.,
10 Mrs. Berry was sworn in as the first black Secretary of the
11 United States Senate on the first day of Women's History
12 Month, March 1, 2021; a native of Birmingham, Alabama, she is
13 the eighth woman to serve in the position; and
14 WHEREAS, Mrs. Berry was born on July 24, 1955, to
15 Maxie and Mattie Bishop and is the oldest of four children;
16 after graduating from the former Phillips High School, she
17 attended The University of North Alabama, where she earned a
18 Bachelor Degree in Education in May 1978; she is married to
19 Reginald Berry, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth Berry; and
20 WHEREAS, following her college graduation, Mrs.
21 Berry accepted a position with South Central Bell, where she
22 worked in the engineering department as a secretary; after
23 working with South Central Bell for almost one year, she was
24 contacted by the office of the late Senator Howell Heflin and
25 was asked to discuss possible employment opportunities with
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1 them; eventually, she was offered a position, and she
2 relocated to Washington, D.C., as a staffer for the late
3 Senator; she has achieved much success over the four decades
4 that she has been serving in Washington, D.C.; in 2017, she
5 led former Senator Doug Jones's transition team after he won a
6 special election to replace former Senator Jeff Sessions; Mrs.
7 Berry most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for
8 Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont; and
9 WHEREAS, a woman of unwavering dedication, steadfast
10 leadership, and a selfless heart, Mrs. Berry has made history,
11 and she and her story will indeed continue to inspire many;
12 now therefore,
13 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
14 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Mrs. Sonceria Ann Bishop Berry
15 is warmly commended as the first black Secretary of the United
16 States Senate, and this resolution hereby serves as a tribute
17 to her with utmost gratitude, admiration, and regard.
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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 18-MAR-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
16 Senate 08-APR-21 Adopted
17
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