AL HJR154

Joint resolution celebrating the life of George W. Barber, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama, who passed away February 15, 2026 at age 85

Barber founded the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, a 230,000-square-foot facility on an 880-acre campus housing the world's largest collection of motorcycles and Lotus race cars, representing the largest single philanthropic project by an individual in Alabama history

Led the family dairy business starting at age 29, later expanding into Dairy Queen franchise rights for Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, and acquiring Birmingham Realty Company; Barber Companies now manages approximately 300 commercial properties across Alabama

Funded more than 500 full-tuition college scholarships, founded the Birmingham chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association, and helped advance passage of Alabama's Forever Wild Act

Resolution passed the House on February 26, 2026 and was adopted by the Senate on March 5, 2026