[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE HONORABLE ANN BEDSOLE OF THE ANN SMITH BEDSOLE 
           LIBRARY AT THE ALABAMA SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE

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                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is a personal pleasure and distinct 
privilege to rise today to recognize one of my state's most outstanding 
citizens, former Alabama State Senator Ann Bedsole, for being honored 
by the Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS) with the recent 
dedication of the new Ann Smith Bedsole Library.
  For over three decades, Ann has been one of South Alabama's most 
trusted and respected leaders. In 1978, she became the first Republican 
woman to be elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. At the 
next state election, she became the first woman ever elected to the 
Alabama State Senate and, in 1994, she was a candidate for governor. To 
say she has been a political pioneer, as well as personal inspiration 
to many of us, would be a considerable understatement.
  During her career in the Alabama Legislature, Senator Bedsole was 
instrumental in the creation of the Alabama School of Math and Science 
in Mobile. Working closely with fellow legislators and members of 
various agencies in state government, she was able to secure support 
for the institution and has provided a great deal of assistance to the 
school since it opened in 1991.
  In recent years, Senator Bedsole has served as both vice president 
and president of the ASMS Foundation Board of Directors.
  A successful businesswoman, Ann is the owner and operator of Bedsole 
Farms and president and chairman of the Board of White Smith Land Co. 
She is also involved in many charitable organizations including serving 
on the boards of the Sybil Smith Charitable Trust and the J. L. Bedsole 
Foundation. She has also served on the board of trustees of Spring Hill 
College and Huntingdon College.
  Ann Bedsole's efforts in the fields of volunteerism and fundraising 
have also led to significant recognition in previous years, and she has 
been honored as First Lady of Mobile in 1972, Mobilian of the Year in 
1993, and Philanthropist of the Year in 1998. She also served as 
president of Mobile's Tricentennial celebration.
  Ann has received the Meritorious Public Service Award from both the 
Montgomery Advertiser and the Alabama Journal. She also received 
Honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Mobile College and Huntingdon 
College.
  In 2002, Senator Bedsole was inducted into the Alabama Academy of 
Honor. Created in 1965, the Alabama Academy of Honor was established to 
recognize living Alabamians for their accomplishments and service that 
greatly benefit or reflect credit on the state of Alabama. Ten members 
may be elected annually by the Academy of Honor with no greater than 
100 living members at a time.
  Madam Speaker, Ann Bedsole has spent practically her entire adult 
life giving to others, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in 
thanking her for her commitment to so many wonderful missions.
  I know her family and friends join with me in praising her 
accomplishments. On behalf of all who have benefited from her good 
heart and generous spirit, permit me to extend thanks for her many 
efforts over the past three decades in making Mobile and the state of 
Alabama a better place to live and work.

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