Alabamians may argue over who has the most influence and power in the state — the governor or the head football coach for the University of Alabama — but when discussing that issue in legislative circles the name that surfaces most quickly is Dan Ireland. Ireland serves as the executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP).
“Dan is the most effective lobbyist in the State House,” said Birmingham attorney Eric Johnston, who represents ALCAP. “He has the best record (of all lobbyists) on all the bills he has worked on. But he also has good relationships with all legislators even if they are against each other politically.”
Johnston described the scope of Ireland’s influence among legislators during a 25th anniversary celebration for the moral watchdog May 19 at First Baptist Church, Birmingham. The ALCAP board of directors and special guests gathered to recap some of Ireland’s journey and to say thanks.
“We would be remiss if we did not observe this silver anniversary in some appropriate way,” said Earl Tew, chairman of the board for ALCAP and pastor of First Baptist Church, Hoover. “Perhaps we will never know in this life how much Dr. Ireland has meant to the righteous causes in Alabama.
“He has always stood for what is right at the State House and all across Alabama,” Tew explained. “Even now significant victories are being won during this legislative session. At times I imagine that he felt that he was standing alone. The churches of all denominations owe him an overwhelming debt of gratitude.”
ALCAP, a multi-denominational organization, has become a primary resource in the fight for what is right in Alabama. The group also assists other states in developing similar organizations. ALCAP also keeps the media aware of social issues, such as the negative influence gambling could have on the state.
In 1999 Ireland led the way as grassroots Alabama fought the proposed education lottery. With a defeat that shocked gambling proponents, Ireland gained national notoriety and has assisted other states in fighting gambling.
ALCAP also fostered the organization of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling and is a charter member of the Coalition For A Tobacco Free Alabama.
Alabama Sen. Hank Erwin, who presented Ireland with a resolution of honor from the state Senate and certificate of appreciation from Gov. Bob Riley, said, “Dan is the real governor of Alabama. He makes senators jump out of windows in Montgomery. He runs the state.
“He is loved and appreciated in Montgomery,” Erwin said.
Johnston said watching Ireland walk down the hall with his arm around an opposing senator or representative speaks volumes. He may fight them to the last hour about legislation, but when it comes to the person, Ireland is there for them, Johnston said, noting he builds relationships with them and prays for them.
Ireland arrives at the State House early when the Legislature is in session to gather prayer requests from the staff and from legislators, Johnston explained. He also conducts a weekly legislative prayer breakfast and helped ALCAP develop a legislative prayer team.
“He has a pastoral approach to things,” Johnston explained. “He knows what’s right and what’s wrong. He has the correct position on the issues.”
Bob Terry, editor of The Alabama Baptist and ALCAP board member, said Ireland also helps local communities with wet/dry elections. “He is known as an expert in this area,” Terry said. “He has made some pretty strong enemies — most out of the liquor and gambling crowd.”
The effectiveness of his influence might be measured by a recent move in the House of Representatives, Terry noted. When legislators learned Ireland would be out for a few days due to a health issue, some representatives scurried to move a bill promoting an expansion of gambling (see story, this page) to the calendar.
“They tried to push it through,” Terry said. “But Dan laid the foundation (to fight these types of bills), and other legislators stepped up and stalled the bill.
“Out of all of us, Dan is casting the largest shadow for Christian and moral values,” Terry said.
While Ireland’s efforts through ALCAP in the Alabama Legislature earn most of his publicity, he also leads the Birmingham-based group in drug education classes in the state’s school system.
ALCAP staffer Bill Day oversees the drug education program, which promotes drug abstinence and utilizes the efforts of numerous volunteers.
Ireland said he plans to keep moving forward with what he is doing. “Whatever is right according to the Word of God is still right. Whatever is wrong is still wrong,” he said.
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