SJR29 Summary

• Honors Senator Richard Shelby for becoming Alabama's longest-serving United States Senator on March 3, 2019, with 40 years and 22 days of service, ranking 41st in congressional history.

• Recognizes Shelby's leadership in supporting science and technology education and medical research at Alabama universities, and his advocacy for year-round Pell Grants that have benefited hundreds of thousands of Alabama students.

• Documents the impact of Pell Grants on Alabama higher education, noting that 36 percent of Mercedes-hired University of Alabama graduates and 90 percent of Stillman College students received Pell Grants.

• Highlights Shelby's partnership with former Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed May 5, 2017, which restored year-round Pell Grants.

• Invites Senator Shelby to return to Montgomery for formal recognition of his contributions to education reform, with data showing summer Pell Grant recipients in Alabama increased from 30,328 students in 2017 to 42,078 students in 2018.