As the United States prepares for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission first began its work with authorization from Congress in 2016. On Tuesday, U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La) announced the appointment of Jimmy Rane to the Commission.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), Val Croft and Thomas Walker, Jr. of the American Village in Montevallo, and now, Jimmy Rane of Abbeville, are among the Alabamians involved in the multi-year leadership effort. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a native of Mobile and graduate of Auburn University, is also on the Commission, which consists of eight Congressional members and sixteen private citizens appointed by Senate and House party leaders.
According to America250, the nonpartisan initiative coordinating the nationwide celebration, “On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.”
Jimmy Rane is a self-made billionaire from the small town of Abbeville. After earning degrees from Auburn University and Samford, Rane began a career in law before founding Great Southern Wood Preserving. He transformed a small family sawmill into a national leader in pressure-treated lumber with his iconic “YellaWood” brand.
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In the years since, his Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded millions in college scholarships, and he’s a major benefactor of Auburn University, where he serves as a trustee. Last week, Rane was appointed to the Alabama Growth Alliance by Governor Kay Ivey, which will serve as a guiding force in the state’s reinvigorated economic development efforts.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) along with U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt and Mike Rogers (R-Saks) shared congratulations for their fellow Alabamian being appointed to serve on the commission:
Congratulations to fellow Alabamian Jimmy Rane for being appointed by @SpeakerJohnson to the America 250 Semiquincentennial Commission. I look forward to serving with him and the other members as we work toward celebrating America's 250th Birthday.
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) August 13, 2024
Congratulations to Abbeville’s Jimmy Rane on his appointment by @SpeakerJohnson to the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. This @AuburnU Trustee embodies the type of entrepreneurial spirit, civic leadership, and patriotism that fuel the American story we’ll celebrate on our…
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) August 13, 2024
Congrats to a dear friend and a leader in the state of Alabama! #WarEagle https://t.co/FRYTwTexgy
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) August 13, 2024
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
