Southern Research was founded in 1941 with the purpose of advancing science and becoming an economic driver for the region. Today, 75 years later, Southern Research employs nearly 500 people across five states, working to help solve the world’s hardest problems.
In recognition of this historic anniversary, the Alabama Legislature passed a joint resolution recognizing our hard work and commemorating the contributions Southern Research has made to science and engineering on behalf of our numerous clients.
Related: Southern Research through the years, a timeline.
We would like to thank Senators Rodger Smitherman and Jabo Waggoner for carrying this resolution, and our other friends in the legislature for their support. Your recognition means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing our work to make Alabama and the world a better place.
Read the entire transcript below, or visit Legiscan to access a PDF of the joint senate resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 13 (SJR13)
By Senators Smitherman, Waggoner, Albritton, Allen, Beasley, Blackwell, Brewbaker, Bussman, Chambliss, Coleman-Madison, Dial, Dunn, Figures, Glover, Hightower, Holley, Holtzclaw, Livingston, Marsh, McClendon, Melson, Orr, Pittman, Reed, Ross, Sanders, Sanford, Scofield, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smith, Stutts, Ward, Whatley and Williams
First Read: 18-AUG-16
SJR13
ENROLLED, SJR13,
RECOGNIZING SOUTHERN RESEARCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that we recognize the invaluable contributions to the betterment of mankind made by the scientists and engineers of Southern Research since its founding in 1941; and
WHEREAS, Southern Research, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, has served as a driver of economic development for the State of Alabama since its inception in a number of highly technical fields of discipline; and
WHEREAS, whether it is drug discovery, drug development, engineering, energy, and environment, or medical devices, the men and women of Southern Research are making contributions every day to help make the world a better place in which to live; and
WHEREAS, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and development organization has discovered seven FDA-approved anticancer drugs, a record rivaling any nonprofit research organization in the world; and
WHEREAS, in addition to cancer, the scientists of Southern Research are actively pursuing new drug therapies in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Tuberculosis, Kidney Disease, and Diabetes, in addition to other areas, and are proud partners in the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance; and
WHEREAS, the organization’s drug development division has a notable record of achievement in the fields of infectious diseases and vaccine development, to include work in HIV/AIDS and mosquito borne viruses, and has been leading the way in our state to help combat Zika; and
WHEREAS, Southern Research engineers are developing technologies to help the Department of Defense, NASA, the intelligence community, and commercial companies solve some of the most challenging problems in the fields of mechanics, materials, and systems development, including work on Prompt Global Strike and an aerial imaging system utilized by NASA to capture full motion high definition video of rocket launches from greater than 25 miles away; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of its energy and environment division continue to be focused on producing cleaner energy, providing clean water, developing new sources of energy, including energy storage, and driving innovation that enhances and promotes our state in a multitude of ways such as the Southeastern Solar Research Center and Gen IV Nuclear research; and
WHEREAS, Southern Research continues to do its part to help with job and industry recruitment in Alabama through not only its own successes, but in partnership with a number of economic development entities throughout the state; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That it is a privilege to commend the significant achievements and meritorious efforts of Southern Research, and by copy of this resolution, we extend our congratulations on 75 years of accomplishment and best wishes for another 75 years of scientific and engineering excellence.
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
SJR13
Senate 18-AUG-16
I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution originated in and was adopted by the Senate.
Patrick Harris
Secretary
House of Representatives
Adopted: 19-AUG-16
By: Senator Smitherman
