With a plea for help from Alabama Baptists, Gov. Don Siegelman told the more than 450 people gathered for the annual Legislative Prayer Luncheon Jan. 9 that change is necessary.
“We have to change our constitution and the way we fund education,” Siegelman told the crowd of Baptists, legislators, justices and other elected officials.
“Those of us who have an opportunity to change things and make things better have an obligation to do what is best and right for the people of Alabama,” he said. “When we have to cut programs, kids are the first to get hurt.”
While expressing appreciation for those praying for the state’s schools, Siegelman said it could not stop there. “We need someone to pay for the schools,” he said, noting his desire to make “big companies who are freeloading do their fair share.”
Every child should be given “the right to reach (his or her) God-given potential,” no matter what color, where the child lives or what language the child speaks, Siegelman said as the crowd erupted in applause.
Pointing out Alabama has already stepped up in several areas in education, Siegelman said that 90 percent of the portable classrooms have been removed.
He also noted that Alabama has moved from the bottom to number eight in board requirements for teachers and is in the top five in academic standards and accountability. “And we have the best reading program in the nation,” he added.
“We did not lower our standards,” he said. “Kids have met the challenge.”
Still, Siegelman said much is yet to be done.
“One way to keep families together is to ensure that the children are well educated,” he said. “They shouldn’t have to leave Alabama to find jobs elsewhere. We have to change our system or it will hurt our children and our families.
“Alabama has to make education top priority,” Siegelman said.
Along with Siegelman’s remarks to the group, Christian humorist and cartoonist Joe McKeever delivered the keynote address (see story, this page).
Siegelman and McKeever, who are longtime acquaintances, took a few moments to catch up during the luncheon. Siegelman also paid special attention to McKeever’s father, Carl, even introducing him to the crowd and noting their longtime friendship.
The luncheon program also included recognition of elected officials present, special music and Scripture readings.
Mike McLemore, president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, offered a prayer for the elected officials as they stood among the crowd.
“Our Father, … You have ordained government just as sure as you have ordained the church,” McLemore prayed. “You have ordained that the government be a good minister to the people who it governs. We are living in a day where a lot of confidence has been lost in our government.
“We earnestly pray for these who have been elected by the citizens of Alabama … to represent the people and to represent the interests of the people in this state,” he prayed.
“It is time for special interests to be set aside. It is time for all of us, whether we serve in the church or in government, to do that which You have ordained us to do, and that is first of all to represent You. Help us to remember we will stand before You … and give an account for that which you have entrusted into our hands. … Help us to have compassionate hearts and understanding spirits. Help us to always be concerned for those who are less fortunate than we,” McLemore prayed.
The luncheon was co-sponsored by the Alabama State Board of Missions and the governor’s office.
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