Alabama Politics in
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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 links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1098

By

Senator Hank Sanders

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

We celebrate because we have victories. We were celebrating. The “we” is the Black Belt Action Commission (Action Commission).

After three years, the spirits were still high and the energy flowing. That’s a victory in and of itself. But that’s not what we were celebrating.

Shortly after an executive order by Governor Bob Riley created the Action Commission, some critical initial decisions were made: (1) no monies would be set aside to fund the Commission; (2) It would be a volunteer effort involving all who wanted to participate; (3) We would use what we had to make what we needed; (4) each of the thirteen committees would have great latitude not just to plan but to act; and (5) we would not supplant current efforts but work collaboratively with them.

When I presented Governor Riley during the Celebration, I lifted him because the Black Belt Action Commission is his vision. I also lifted him because he gave the Commission freedom to operate and supported it with concrete actions when requested.

The celebration focused on two important elements of the victories; (1) productive partnerships; and (2) a new industry locating in the West Alabama Black Belt. We were simultaneously celebrating the past, present and future.

Because we refused to set aside a “pot of money” for the Commission, we avoided two pitfalls: (1) there were no fights over money because there was none; and (2) solutions were devised without the usual limitations imposed by available resources. When solutions were proposed, we then found the resources.

Because there were no designated resources, we had to take what we had and make what we needed. Partnerships with institutions, organizations, and various other entities became critical resources. That’s why some 65 partnerships were honored during this Third Annual Celebration. This is truly worth celebrating.

As part of the event, Governor Riley and U. S. Steel announced the location of an industry in Sumter County. It involves an investment of $450 million and will provide 235 jobs. That’s a great achievement.

It is so hard to locate industry in the Alabama Black Belt. The reasons are complex, but I will not explore such on this occasion. Suffice it to say that the Black Belt Action Commission is helping to overcome some of those obstacles.

One early decision involved improving all aspects of the Black Belt at the same time. We believe that each of the targeted 15 areas of endeavor is connected to each other. One cannot move one area of endeavor forward much without others also moving. None operates independently of the other.

The U. S. Steel plant was also symbolic. It showed that basic manufacturing will come to the Black Belt if we prepare the proper foundation. It showed that, contrary to deeply held perceptions, every county in the Black Belt can be considered for the location of new manufacturing industries.

When Governor Riley was considering whether to make a proposal for the U.S. Steel plant, he asked me and Senator Bobby Singleton to meet with him and other officials. In my mind, I was meeting as the Chair of the Black Belt Action Commission. Governor Riley, however, took the opportunity to secure a multi-million dollar training-fund commitment from the Education Trust Fund. I soon realized that I was meeting as Chair of the Finance and Taxation Education Committee.

It was a great celebration in so many other ways. In addition to the partners being honored and the industry announced, we had rich Black Belt food. We had moving songs from the Women of Gees Bend. We had wonderful blues music from the nationally known musician Willie King of Pickens County. We had a special skit from Vassie and Malik Brown of Greene County. We had stories from the world famous storyteller, KathyrnWindham of Selma.

At the conclusion, I think I said: “We have come in victory. We have celebrated our victories with music, skits, stories, awards, and industrial announcements. Now we leave to forge more victories so we can celebrate again next year in the same lifting spirit.”

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I facilitated the Unity Breakfast in Selma, and I shared lunch with my special friend Billy Atchison and his wife Janet. I communicated with many leaders including the following: Forest Kimbrough of Bogue Chitto; Ethel Washington of Selma; Senator Bobby Denton who is recovering from an operation; Senator Larry Means who is recovering from an operation; Khadijah Ishaq of Selma; Anita Archie of the Two-Year College System; Consultant Rick Heartsill; Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); Lester Brown of Greene County; Doris Strode, who is fighting cancer; and Judge John England of Tuscaloosa. I worked into the night on various challenges.

Sunday - I did Radio Sunday School with Dr. Margaret Hardy, Radio Education with Perry County School Superintendent John Heard, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School where my church members prayed collectively for a successful operation on my knees. I talked with the following: Dr. C.A Lett, Pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church; J.L. Chestnut, Jr. who is out and about from his illness; Collins Pettaway, Jr. about various issues; Charles Jones, Jr. of Marengo County; Dr. Carol P. Zippert of Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC); Senator Parker Griffith; consultant Paul Hamrick; Senator Ted Little; and Kirk Wheeler of Chattanooga, TN. I met concerning mass communication and shared Sunday Dinner and political discussions with Dallas County School Superintendent Dr. Fannie McKenzie and her husband, Bobby McKenzie. While I was making my preparations for being absent from the office due to surgery, I came across this Sketches that I had previously written and decided to use it this week. I traveled to Birmingham for my knee replacement operation scheduled for early Monday morning.

Monday - I was operated on at the UAB Highlands Hospital in Birmingham and had two knees replaced. I was expected to be in ICU for two days. Things went so well that there was no need to put me in ICU. I went straight to my room. I talked to the following visitors: Ainka Sanders; Gullah and Charles Sanders and their two sons; Fannie and Bobby McKenzie; and Sharon Wheeler with the Senate President Pro Tem’s office. I talked on the phone with Dr. Carol P. Zippert and Robert Avery.

Tuesday - I visited with the following: Franklin and Malika Fortier; Dr. James Mitchell; Fannie and Bobby McKenzie; Dr. Carol P. Zippert; Roger and Roberta Watts; Douglas Sanders; and others. I talked on the phone with the following: Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem; Dixie Bonner of Talladega; James Sanders of Bay Minette; Lelia Gordon of Boston; Ola Morrow; Sharon Wheeler; Sharon Calhoun; Joyce Bigbee, Director of the Legislative Fiscal Office; Edna Bryant; Gloria Pompey; Sheila Fearson with the Alabama New South Coalition; Curtis Jernigan; Robert Avery with the Alabama New South Coalition; Anita Archie; Dr. Margaret Hardy of Selma; Quentin Riggins with the Business Council of Alabama; and others.

Wednesday - I continued in the hospital where I communicated about various issues with visitors including: Senator Zeb Little; attorney Bubba Grimsley; and Doris and Judge John England. I received calls from Joyce Bigbee; Sharon Calhoun; Sharon Wheeler; Bob McCurley with the Alabama Law Institute; Dr. Paul Hubbert; Dr. James Mitchell; Gloria Pompey; Edna Bryant; Barnett Hayes; Ron Jones, the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts: Ginger Avery with the Alabama Association for Justice; Fannie Majores; Ruth Sanders; Tuscaloosa ANSC President Eva Preuitt; Lester Brown; Maria Alexander; Kirk and Carolyn Wheeler; Ainka Sanders; and others.

Thursday - I continued to share with visitors including Roberta and Roger Watts; Carol P. Zippert; Gullah and Charles Sanders and their two sons; and Bubba Grimsley. I received calls from attorney Susan Kennedy; Senator Wendell Mitchell; Senator Ted Little; Mayor James Perkins; Probate Judge Kim Ballard; Michelle and Kindaka Sanders; and Gus Towns.

Friday - I was released to a Rehabilitation facility. I visited with Janet and Billy Atchison; Fannie and Bobby McKenzie; Alfonsa Morton; and others. I received calls from consultant Rick Heartsill and his wife; Joyce Bigbee; and others.

EPILOGUE - For many years of my life I’ve failed to understand how important celebrations are. I used to think that celebrations are for those being celebrated. I now know that celebrations are for the community. For everyone in the community contribute to the victory we celebrate even if we don’t realize it. Celebrations not only acknowledge the past, but prepare the way for future victories.

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