When observers talk about those who exert major influence on decisions made by the Alabama Legislature, many talk about Alfa (Alabama Farmers Federation), the AEA (Alabama Education Association), the Alabama Association for Justice (formerly the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association) or the Business Council of Alabama.
Let me suggest another — ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program). Specifically let me suggest the influence of Dan Ireland as executive director of this interdenominational ministry.
For 30 years, Ireland worked the legislative halls of Montgomery, contending for bills that would improve the moral climate of the state and opposing efforts that would bring harm to Alabama’s citizens. When he retired May 31, he left a legacy of success and a legend of hard work in behalf of Christian morality.
ALCAP is best known for its work opposing alcohol and gambling. That is as it should be since ALCAP started in 1937 as the Alabama Temperance Alliance. Over the years, the name changed to reflect the growing list of moral and social concerns of Alabama churches. Today ALCAP works on pro-life issues, on anti-pornography issues, for smoke-free environments and much, much more.
In the process, Ireland gained a reputation for integrity and care unmatched by others working around the state Legislature. He organized a legislative prayer breakfast, which is held every week of the regular legislative session. He frequently went to the offices of government officials to pray with them. In recent years, the state Senate designated him chaplain of the Senate, and leaders of the state House passed a resolution deeming him "honorary chaplain of the Legislature."
But Ireland’s personal ministry to elected officials and their staff members never caused him to back away from his fierce opposition to bad legislation. Frequently Ireland was the lone voice of the Christian community speaking for traditional moral values as a lobbyist in the legislative chambers. In the last legislative session, it was pointed out that those trying to expand legalized gambling in Alabama had 18 to 20 paid lobbyists working on one bill. Against them stood Ireland.
Lobbyists cannot vote in the Legislature, which means no lobbyist, not even one as good as Ireland, can win by himself or herself. It takes the votes of legislators sympathetic with the lobbyists’ positions. It also takes the constituents back home influencing the legislators.
Through his close cooperation with leaders of eight Christian denominations, Ireland was able to help legislators understand that he represented a large group of Alabama citizens concerned about the moral climate of the state.
Unlike other organizations, ALCAP does not have major funding with which to hire a large staff. It does not buy influence with contributions to political campaigns. ALCAP operates on a shoestring budget of about $500,000 a year, and most of it comes from Alabama Baptists. Yet ALCAP has done more to serve as a moral compass for this state than any other organization of which we have knowledge. It has done so primarily through the influence and hard work of one man — Dan Ireland.
It has not been easy for him. When it became known in years past that money from Indian gambling interests was channeled to the Alabama chapter of the Christian Coalition, some charged that Ireland and ALCAP also received such funds. Ethics charges were filed against Ireland, and a small newspaper in Montgomery trumpeted the charges.
But an investigation proved the charges groundless and Ireland was exonerated. Still, even as the recent legislative session came to a close, those charges surfaced again. This time, the charges did not even cause a stir. The people related to state government know the personal integrity of Dan Ireland.
On the final day of the legislative session, every bill to expand gambling in Alabama had already been defeated, thanks, in part, to Ireland’s influence. But Ireland was still there, working to the very last minute on bills related to pornography, alcohol, sex offenders, clean air, suicide prevention and more.
Every Alabama Baptist and every Alabama citizen owes Ireland a great debt of gratitude for his unselfish service in the cause of Christ and the cause of a better Alabama. Certainly we wish him well as he retires from ALCAP leadership.
Now the mantle of leadership for the organization falls on the shoulders of former Alabama Baptist State Convention president Joe Godfrey. For the past year and a half, Godfrey has been working with Ireland to learn the legislative process. Godfrey does not have Ireland’s 30 years of personal experience, but he does have the same commitments to work for a safer and a better Alabama.
As Alabama Baptists express thanksgiving to Ireland for the outstanding contributions he has made, we also need to pledge continued cooperation and support for ALCAP as Godfrey takes up this important task. As with Ireland’s tenure, it will take all of us working together to protect Alabama because the forces of evil are not going away.
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