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Senate Sketches # 1078

By

Senator Hank Sanders

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“His Dream Keeps Marching On,” was the theme for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Albert Turner, Sr. Elementary School. It is a theme I could really get into - even with children as young as 4 and adults as old as seventy.

I said the theme is powerful because it reminds us of the essence of Dr. King’s dream: that all human beings are created equal; that we must have brotherhood and sisterhood; that freedom and justice is a necessity; that our children should be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character; that one day our children will be able to join hands as sisters and brothers; and that we shall all see the glory of God together. Each element of Dr. King’s dream has come a long way but still has a long way to go. His Dream Keeps Marching On.

I explained why we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday. We should celebrate any time there is a great victory. Dr. King’s life was a great victory, not for himself but for so many throughout the South, the Nation, and the world. We celebrate to remind ourselves of what was achieved and what can be achieved.

I explained that the theme is powerful because “marching” helps us realize the “Dream” is still alive; that it is moving; that the way is forward; that we are moving together; and that we advance one step at a time. So much in such few words - His Dream Keeps Marching On.

I explained how we express almost universal love for Dr. King in death but expressed great opposition to him in life. I explained that the opposition derived from his trying to truly change things for the better. There is always opposition when we try to change things, especially for the better.

I explained how Dr. King kept moving forward in unison with others; how creative he was in using songs, prayers, marching feet, sitting behinds and moving words to change the world; and how he took what he had to make what was needed.

I had the students collectively shout out their personal dream - what they wanted to be when they grew up. I told them that I did not hear any of them because they all shouted at the same time. Then I explained it was not important for me to hear their dream but for them to hear it in their minds and hearts. His Dream Keeps Marching On.

I told them how I had a dream of being a lawyer when I was a child. I told them how I shared my dream with my 7^th grade class and how my classmates laughed at me, unleashing a flood of tears from my eyes and a sea of pain in my being.

I told them how I committed to fulfill my dream of being a lawyer even if it killed me. I told them how I kept my dream alive in spite of difficulties, in spite of struggles, in spite of temptations to quit. I told them how I made the dream come true one step at a time: by staying in school when I wanted to drop out; by going to college even though I was out of high school three (3) years before I could go; by completing college even with no money; by going on to law school when there appeared to be no way. His Dream Keeps Marching On.

I told them that Dr. King kept his dream alive in spite of attacks; moved toward fulfilling his dream one step at a time; moved in unison with others. His dream was marching then. His dream marches now through each of us.

I then challenged the young people to let their dreams blossom; to hold fast to their dreams; to keep them alive; to fulfill them one step at a time; to have them unite with other marching dreams. I cautioned then about sharing their dreams with people who would discourage them. I urged them to share their dreams with those who would encourage them.

Dreams can be strong. Dreams give us roots and wings: roots that center and sturdy us against the winds of adversity; roots that nourish and water our beings; wings that lift and carry us to higher heights. Roots and wings.

Dreams can be delicate - easily broken or even shattered. We have to handle them with care, protect them with our lives. The dreams that have the deepest roots and the widest wings are not those for ourselves but rather for our communities, our people. Dr. King’s dreams have such deep roots they stand today; such wide wings they sail today. His Dream Keeps Marching On.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I was in Birmingham for the Legislative Symposium on education. I also made remarks to former presidents of the Alabama Association for Justice (AAJ). I traveled in the snow to Perry County for the funeral of Dr. J. J. Howard where I presented a resolution and made remarks. I went on to Selma where I worked into the night. I talked with several leaders of the AAJ.

Sunday - I did Radio Education, Radio Sunday School, and Sunday Review. I returned to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for the Church Installation Program. I had a late dinner with Fannie and Bobby McKenzie where we discussed education issues. I worked into the night on a number of challenges.

Monday - I helped host the radio program Faya’s Fire to discuss the meaning of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. I met with Raven J. Martin of Selma before traveling to Marion to make remarks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Program. I returned to Selma to make remarks at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Program at Tabernacle Baptist Church. I had two other meetings and worked into the night on various matters. I talked with several persons including the following: Attorney Robert Turner of Perry County; former Marion Mayor Edward Daniel; Rev. Effel Williams of Selma; Ginger Avery Buckner of the AAJ; Mayor James Perkins of Selma; Amy Herring of Montgomery: and Senator Lowell Barron.

Tuesday - I handled numerous matters before traveling to Montgomery. I participated in Joint Legislative Budget Hearings and talked with the following: Glenda Lewis and Eva Preuitt of Tuscaloosa whose brother died recently; Representative John Knight; Carol Vandiver of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); Leon Frazier of Tuskegee; Rev. Allen Forte of the NAACP; Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative; Judy Cumbee and Esther Brown of Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC); Youlanda Curtis of Washington County; Media Consultant Rick Dent; Senator E. B. McClain; Senator Myron Penn; Senator Roger Bedford; Senator Parker Griffith; Senator Quinton Ross; and Lobbyists Happy Fulford and Sherrie Fulford.. I participated in the following: a press conference on the death penalty; a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting; and a Senate Democratic Caucus dinner. I returned to Selma to work on a myriad of issues.

Wednesday - This was my 38^th Wedding Anniversary. I handled a plethora of issues before traveling to Birmingham. I traveled on to Montgomery where I participated in budget hearings and talked with the following: Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS); Representative Richard Lindsey; Dr. Paul Hubbert of AEA; Dr. Billy C. Hawkins and James Thornton, President and Board Chair respectively of Talladega College. I also participated in a conference call about the education budget. Faya Rose and I had dinner, went shopping (briefly), saw the movie, The Bucket List, and watched CNN News at the Legends in Prattville. I began writing an article for the Black History Edition of the Greene County Democrat entitled The Challenges of Black Elected Officials Serving.

Thursday - I traveled from Prattville to Montgomery for Budget Hearings. I talked with many including the following: State School Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton; Representative Richard Lindsey; Dr. Paul Hubbert of AEA; Senator Hinton Mitchem; Senator Pat Lindsey; Senator Zeb Little; Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom, Jr.; Joyce Bigbee of the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO); Senator Lowell Barron; Sharon Wheeler of the Senate President Pro Tem’s Office; Lester Brown of Greene County; Lowndes County Commissioner Marzette Thomas who recently had an operation; Lowndes County Administrator Jackie Thomas; Reporter Dave White of the Birmingham News; Selma Businessman Jim Hodo; and Wayne Vardaman of Selma Centre for Commerce. I also attended a black farmers meeting in Selma where I made remarks and the Selma Centre For Commerce Annual Dinner. I worked until 11:45 p.m.

Friday - I worked on Sketches before traveling to and from Lowndes County. I communicated with the following: Cecil Bell of Selma; Frank Kummel of Lowndes County; Dr. Rhoda Johnson of Tuscaloosa; Glenn Sullivan of Clarke County; Teresa Burroughs of Hale County; Dr. Paul Hubbert; former Lieutenant Governor Steve Windom; Dr. Carol P. Zippert; Jerry Vest of the Meridian and Bigbee Railroad; Julian McPhillips of Montgomery; Elise Blackwell of Dallas County; John Zippert of the Greene County Democrat; Talladega City School Board member Mary McGhee; Algie Brantley of Selma; Representative Richard Lindsey; and White Hall Mayor John Jackson.

EPILOGUE - It’s amazing how much a few words can sometimes say so much. It is said that one picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, however, a few words can paint many pictures. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration theme painted such multiple images in my mind and heart.

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