SJR17INTRODUCED
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SJR17
F2E2DCD-1
By Senators Waggoner, Albritton, Allen, Barfoot, Beasley,
Bell, Butler, Carnley, Chambliss, Chesteen, Coleman,
Coleman-Madison, Elliott, Figures, Givhan, Gudger, Hatcher,
Hovey, Jones, Kelley, Kitchens, Livingston, Melson, Orr,
Price, Reed, Roberts, Sessions, Shelnutt, Singleton,
Smitherman, Stewart, Stutts, Weaver, Williams
RFD:
First Read: 12-Feb-25
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10 F2E2DCD-1 02/10/2025 bm (L)bm 2025-670
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First Read: 12-Feb-25
SJR___ COMMENDING THE HONORABLE JUDGE CAROLE SMITHERMAN ON
HER RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS,highest commendations and congratulations are
herein proudly presented to the Honorable Judge Carole
Smitherman for outstanding professional achievement on the
occasion of her retirement from her position as Circuit
Judge in the Civil Division of Jefferson County at the end
of her term in January 2025; a member of the Rock City
Church, she firmly believes the Lord sent her to serve; and
WHEREAS, Judge Smitherman has served on the Tenth
Judicial Circuit Court since 2012, devoting her life to
public service, breaking barriers, and achieving historic
firsts as a trailblazer in Alabama's legal and political
arenas; and
WHEREAS, Carole Caitlin Smitherman was born on
September 25, 1952, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Willie and
Rochelle Davis, and reared by her grandparents, Jerry and
Thelma Catlin, who instilled in her the values of education,
hard work, and service; and
WHEREAS, she graduated from Spelman College in 1973
and earned her Juris Doctor from Miles Law School in 1979,
where she graduated first in her class, the only woman to do
so; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Judge Smitherman began her
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WHEREAS, in 1979, Judge Smitherman began her
illustrious legal career as the first woman of color to
serve as a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County,
later founding the county's first Victim Assistance Program
to provide care and support for crime victims and their
families; and
WHEREAS, she has served with distinction as a
Birmingham Municipal Judge, the first woman of color
appointed as a Circuit Court Judge in Alabama, a prosecutor
for the City of Irondale, a Constitutional Law professor at
Miles Law School, and a member of the Birmingham City
Council, where she became the first woman of color to serve
as its president; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Judge Smitherman was sworn in as
the 31st Mayor of Birmingham, becoming the city's first
female mayor and its first woman of color to hold this
esteemed office; and
WHEREAS, her numerous accolades, including the
Alabama Bar Association Maude McLure Kelly Award, induction
into the Magic City Bar Association Hall of Fame, and
recognition from the Birmingham Bar Association with a
Lifetime Achievement Award, underscore her extraordinary
contributions to the legal profession and public service;
and
WHEREAS, Judge Smitherman's greatest joy and proudest
achievement is her family; in 1980, she married the esteemed
Rodger Smitherman, whom she lovingly describes as "the air
beneath her wings"; in 1992, the two joined forces in
private practice, establishing Smitherman & Smitherman Law
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private practice, establishing Smitherman & Smitherman Law
Firm, and in 1994, he was elected to the Alabama State
Senate; and
WHEREAS, together, they built a legacy of love and
success, raising five cherished children, the late and
beloved Roderick, Rodger Mell II, Tonya Renee, Mary Elaine,
and Crystal Nicole; following in her mother's footsteps,
Crystal was appointed as the Birmingham City Councilor for
District 6, later serving as President Pro Tempore of the
Council, continuing the family's tradition of leadership and
service to Birmingham; Judge Smitherman is also a devoted
grandmother to six beloved grandchildren, Naomi, Justin,
Tony, Leah, Jaden, and Noah; and cherishes her granddog,
Charlie; and
WHEREAS, through the years, she has earned widespread
respect for her fairness, dedication, and competence; Judge
Smitherman's presence on the bench will be greatly missed,
but her retirement plans call for resuming private practice
and continuing her life of service to her community; now
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Judge Carole Smitherman is
highly honored and commended, and this resolution is offered
to her with deepest admiration and appreciation for her
immeasurable service to the State of Alabama, as well as
with sincere best wishes for continued success in all future
endeavors.
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