The Business Council of Alabama’s (BCA) upcoming Evening for Progress event in Birmingham will honor the service of U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa), who is set to retire after serving more than four decades in Congress.

Alabama native and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will feature as the event’s special guest.

Shelby is the current vice chairman and past chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

The master appropriator is the Yellowhammer State’s longest-serving U.S. senator.

In a statement, BCA board chairman Mike Kemp lauded Shelby’s congressional tenure and praised the senator for his efforts to spearhead economic growth initiatives.

“No leader has done more for Alabama’s progress than Senator Richard Shelby. BCA and our members are honored to have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate his service at our Evening for Progress,” proclaimed Kemp. “Senator Shelby has been a visionary leader in forging a 21st-century Alabama economy through pro growth, pro-jobs policies and strategic investments in our state’s future. Senator Shelby’s determination and focus has transformed possibilities into life-changing realities for Alabamians in every corner of our state.”

He added, “BCA is proud to honor Senator Shelby for his many achievements, and we welcome Senator McConnell as we come together for an evening of recognition of a great statesman and promote continued engagement in protecting Alabama’s progress for the future.”

McConnell, who hails from the Colbert County city of Sheffield, is the longest-serving Senate GOP leader in United States history. The Kentucky senator has been unanimously elected to serve as the upper chamber’s top Republican eight times since 2006.

TIME Magazine has twice recognized McConnell as being one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Evening for Progress is scheduled to take place Monday, Oct. 3 at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham at 5:30 p.m. CST. Proceeds from the event will support ProgressPAC, the political arm of BCA.

Investment levels for the fundraiser range from $2,000 to $30,000.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL