Jo Ann Jenkins, commended

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Adline Clarke

The bill formally commends Jo Ann Jenkins for her leadership of AARP, recognizing her advocacy on drug costs, caregiving, brain health, aging tech, and COVID-19 efforts.

Enacted

#resolutions

Purpose / Intent

HJR 65 is a legislative resolution adopted by the Alabama Legislature that formally commends Jo Ann Jenkins on her retirement as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The resolution recognizes Jenkins’s leadership, policy work, program initiatives, and national and international advocacy on behalf of older adults.

Key provisions / What the resolution says

Formally commends Jo Ann Jenkins for her “faithful and unwavering service” as AARP CEO.

Summarizes and recognizes her accomplishments while CEO, including:

Advocacy on issues such as lower prescription drug costs, caregiving support, opposition to age discrimination in the workplace, and protection of Social Security and Medicare.
Leadership on brain health: AARP Brain Health’s commitment of $60 million to the Dementia Discovery Fund and creation of the Global Council on Brain Health.
Investment in innovation and technology for older adults: establishment of AARP Innovation Labs and a $40 million Innovation Fund (2015) to back companies focused on aging in place and health care; later formation of the AgeTech Collaborative (more than 525 organizations).
Integration of Older Adults Technology Services into AARP to provide digital literacy and digital-asset protection training for seniors.
COVID‑19 response efforts providing information and solutions for older adults on topics including stimulus, vaccines, and long‑term care/nursing home reform.
International engagement—travel and consultation with officials and aging organizations overseas.
Recognition of Jenkins and AARP under her leadership (e.g., Fortune’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders”; Ethisphere recognition for corporate ethics).

Offers best wishes for her future endeavors.

Who is affected

Primary subject: Jo Ann Jenkins (honoree).

Secondary/implicit: AARP and constituencies served by AARP (older adults), which are cited in the resolution as beneficiaries of her leadership.

The resolution is honorary and does not create legal rights, obligations, or budgetary effects for state government or private parties.

Procedural / Timeline notes

Filed/Introduced: November 12, 2024 (HJR 65).

First read (per bill text header): February 13, 2025.

House action: Reported out of House Rules and adopted in the House (voice vote) February 20, 2025.

Senate action: Received in Senate and reported from Senate Rules; final Senate action March 4, 2025 (adopted).

Enrolled/Delivered to Governor: Enrolled March 5, 2025; delivered to the Governor March 5, 2025.

Final status: Enacted (recorded as enacted March 19, 2025).

Sponsors: Representatives Clarke, Drummond, Bracy, Shirey, Pringle, Brown, Wilcox, Hall, and Jones.

Legal effect / Impact

HJR 65 is a concurrent legislative resolution offering formal commendation and recognition. It is symbolic and ceremonial in nature; it does not change law, impose obligations, or appropriate funds. Its impact is reputational—public acknowledgment by the Alabama Legislature of Jo Ann Jenkins’s service and achievements.

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