Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
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NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and therefore a link to the publication is not available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1042

By

Senator Hank Sanders

******************************

I was being tested. Not on one or two fronts but many. Each test built on the other. With each test I thought about what my mama said: “If it’s a test son, all you have to do is pass it.”

The greater tests started Friday week a week ago. The Alabama Senate was in “Lock Down.” That was painful in and of itself. It became more painful because it prevented me from sharing in the graduation of my baby daughter from Vanderbilt School of Law in Nashville, Tennessee. I was being tested.

That evening, my mother by marriage, Mother Dear (Mrs. Ora Lee Gaines), died after participating in Ainka’s graduation activities. She was the mother of my wife, Faya Rose Toure’, but a mother to me as well. The pain unexpectedly manifested itself in tears as I talked about her during Sunday School.

On Saturday, our family was in limbo. I could go to Birmingham or Nashville. I borrowed a car and drove the 300 miles to Nashville, Tennessee and 300 miles back the same day. I was being tested.

The Mayor of Selma recently said to my wife, “You’re my worst enemy, worse than Cecil Williamson.” On Monday I learned that he had appointed a lawyer to serve as special judge to hear my wife’s Selma City Court case. The lawyer was the same one that put Faya out of the courtroom in 2000 and sentenced my son, fresh out of Harvard Law School, to four months in jail. The police had beaten him and two other young men and falsely charged them with beating up the police.

In that case, the judge refused to require the police to provide incident reports and statements. At least one report turned out to be forged by the police. The conviction was set aside, and last year a jury awarded a $310,000 verdict to my son and two others.

Faya’s trial was set for Wednesday and this was Tuesday. I was one of the key negotiators on the Senate Lock down, but I knew that I had to find the time to speak out about the Mayor’s appointment. Under the law, he could have appointed any one of the 15,436 lawyers in Alabama. Yet, he appointed a lawyer previously involved in an adverse way and now represents the Mobile Police Department. I spoke up.

Late Tuesday evening, I received a call from our family doctor. He insisted that Faya Rose be hospitalized. She had been having severe problems with her stomach but failed to get medical attention because of Ainka’s graduation and Mother Dear’s death. Now she was determined to participate in her trial the next day. Since Faya had twice experienced cancer, the doctor asked me to persuade her to enter the hospital. I talked to her over the phone and left Montgomery for the Selma hospital.

On Wednesday, I went to court. I was not the lawyer in the case but my son, who was representing his mother, was a few minutes late. I became the lawyer for a little while. The case was continued and I dealt with the media. I went to Montgomery and back to the hospital in Selma.

All the while, the pall of death was hanging over me and my family. I was having trouble praying. My mind kept wandering. The prayers died in my throat. I was truly being tested.

I had a legal matter whose time was expiring. I tried to work on it in stolen moments in the Senate. I simply could not find sufficient time.

I had a huge $460,000 debt due within days. I did not have the money to pay it. I could not extend the loan. I had to do something.

I was sure on Tuesday when we left the Senate that we were on our way to lifting the Senate lock down. On Thursday, I was in negotiation all day. Then I heard that the Governor of Alabama was calling and urging Senate Minority members to hold out on Senate Lock Down. Then, the whole thing crashed and burned.

Friday morning, I awakened with gout in my right foot which is extremely painful. Now I had the test of physical pain. Pass the test!

Lots of people are worried about me. I see it in their eyes. I hear it in their voices. I am doing quite well. I called on the spirit of my mother and shared an example with the Senate Democratic Caucus.

When we were growing up, we had lots of hard times because we were a very big and extremely poor family. Our mother would sit in the one chair we owned as we sat on the floor and say: “Children, things are always kind of bad, but they are real bad now. But don’t y’all worry; I’m at my best when things get bad.” In our Senate Democratic Caucus meeting, we all stood holding hands. I was able to pray. I also said that each Caucus member had been at their best during this intense struggle. Thanks to my mother, I keep passing the tests.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I was up at 5:00 a.m. to travel to Nashville, Tennessee following the death of Mother Dear, but confusion delayed me. I talked with a variety of leaders about Mother Dear, the Senate Lock Down, and other matters as I traveled the 600 miles to and from Nashville.

Sunday - I did Radio Education and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School and handled many matters including Sketches. I received constant calls of condolences and discussed the Senate Lock Down and worked into the night.

Monday - I tackled many challenges before traveling to Lowndes County where I talked to several leaders. I returned to Selma and worked on a variety of issues including Sketches. I traveled to Greene County where I talked to several leaders including Dr. Carol P. Zippert and School Board members Elzora Fluker, Bobbie Morgan, Leo Branch, Morris Hardy, and Lester Brown. I returned to Selma and then traveled to Montgomery for a Senate Session at 8 p.m. and numerous Democratic Caucus (Caucus) and other meetings. The Senate adjourned to come back at two minutes after midnight. After about an hour and a half we recessed to 10:00 a.m. the next morning.

Tuesday - I commenced work at six something that morning. I spent most of the day negotiating the Senate Lock Down or meetings with Caucus members or others. In between I participated in Senate Sessions or met with various persons about the Budget. I talked with the media about the Mayor of Selma’s appointment of a lawyer to judge a case against my wife. Dr. Earnest Okeke called, and I returned to Selma to be with my wife in the hospital.

Wednesday - I began the day at the hospital. I attended court for my wife’s trial which was continued. I spoke with the media and handled other matters before traveling to Montgomery on Senate business and back to Selma to visit at the hospital.

Thursday - I was in negotiations most of the day in Senate Lock Down. I met with the media and several leaders. The medical problems turned out to be kidney stones and acid reflux. I worked on fiscal concerns and talked to numerous persons on the phone shared condolences. I returned to Selma.

Friday - I began writing Sketches. I was on the phone with Joyce Bigbee and Norris Green of the Legislative Fiscal Office and Representative Richard Lindsey about the Education Budget. I accepted condolences from former Senator and now National President of SCLC, Charles Steele. I participated in a Team Selma meeting and helped resolve challenges around Mother Dear’s funeral. I talked to the following: Carlos Williams; Lester Brown; Sharon Wheeler; Governor Bob Riley; Dr. Paul Hubbert; Bob Johnson of the Associated Press; and Dana Beyerle of the New York Times Group. I traveled to Birmingham to be with the family in struggle. Among those I shared with was former Senator and current National SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) President Charles Steele; Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC) leaders Barbara Pitts, John Zellars, and Ezell Smith; and Ruby Roy Wharton and Dale Roy of Memphis, Tennessee.

EPILOGUE - I learned from my mother to pass the tests of life. My mother did not tell me that each time we pass a test a more difficult test awaits us.

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