Mobile, Ala. - On the heels of the Congressman's controversial mid-term resignation and some public backlash over the expensive special election necessitated by that decision, the state accolades began rolling in today for U.S. Representative Jo Bonner.

Alabama's $10 billion tourism industry will honor retiring Congressman Bonner on July 26 for his role as co-chair of the Congressional House Travel & Tourism Caucus during the past three years, state tourism director Lee Sentell said.

Estimates vary, though perhaps half of that entire statewide tourism economy is generated here in Bonner's Gulf Coast district along Alabama's beaches and Mobile Bay. Following a couple of rocky years following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occupancy rate reports indicate Alabama coastal tourism has rebounded to record levels the past two years.

The Alabama Travel Council, the state's private-sector tourism organization, will join the Alabama Tourism Department in paying tribute to Bonner's leadership, officials said.

Bonner has announced his pending retirement from Congress to accept a position with the University of Alabama.

Two days ago, Bonner announced he was moving his official resignation date forward by a couple weeks in order to give the state additional logistical time to organize the vote for his mid-term replacement in Congress. (see related article)

The reception in honor of Bonner's tourism leadership will be held at the Renaissance Battle House ballroom in Mobile at 2 p.m. It is open to the public, Sentell said.