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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 therefore a link to the publication is not available.  The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1015

By

Senator Hank Sanders

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

“There is no rest for the weary.” This old saying kept running through my mind as events unfolded the day after the November 7 General Election. I had really hoped to steal at least a brief respite. There is, however, no rest for the weary.

I was weary from the continuous intense efforts in the election of other people. I was weary from the efforts of my own election. I was weary from fighting a lawsuit to remove me from the ballot. I was weary from the ever springing issues about organizing the Alabama State Senate. I was weary from managing our law firm as we transition into new management and operating styles. I was weary from the responsibility to practice more law. I was weary from other struggles. But there is no rest for the weary.

I went to bed late after watching election returns. I was, however, up early and by 8:00 a.m., had traveled the 50 miles to Montgomery. I was sworn in as an Alabama State Senator. I had caused the Judge to be late so the event started late.

I was scheduled to be in Marion by 10:30 some 80 miles away. After the swearing in ceremony, I could just make it if I drove firmly. Then I received a call that said it was absolutely necessary that I help with some breaking developments involving the Alabama State Senate. I hated to, but I called the president of Marion Military Institute, canceling this longstanding engagement. There is no rest for the weary.

I met with others in Montgomery away from the Capitol. It involved many of the things I was weary from plus new developments. I put the weariness aside, focusing all my energies. I thought that if I made it through the morning then the afternoon would ease up. I was wrong.

While we were meeting, the situation demanded I be in Birmingham immediately. I left on the fly, driving safely but firmly. I made it in time and met for an hour and half or so. We thought a plan and process was in place for Democrats to at least communicate. I was wrong for there is not rest for the weary.

Just as I was about to leave Birmingham, I received several urgent phone calls. Six Democrats had just announced in so many words that they were uniting with 12 Republicans to fill leadership positions in the Alabama State Senate. If true, that could be a majority. That started another round of discussions in person and by phone. There is just no rest for the weary.

There are 23 Democrats and 12 Republicans in the Alabama Senate. It is hard to understand how Democrats, with a two-to-one majority, could fail to select Senate leadership. However, we have to understand the dynamics of an entrenched power struggle.

I am not going to rehash the entire history of the struggle, but I think a little history is in order. For years, the Lieutenant Governor appointed all Committee chairs and members. That was a virtual dictatorship. All that changed in 1998/1999.

In 1999, some 24 Democrats and 12 Republicans was elected to the Alabama Senate. However, the first Republican Lieutenant Governor in modern day history was elected. The Governor was Democratic and a tremendous struggle ensued. Five Democrats lined up with 12 Republicans. Democrats organized by a one vote margin-18 to 17.

In 2002, we had a 25 to 10 Democratic majority with a Democratic Lieutenant Governor and a Republican Governor. Again, there was a mighty struggle. Six Democrats lines up with 10 Republicans. Democrats chose the leadership and adopted Senate operating rules by a 19-16 vote. Each time, the power struggle did year not cease once we organized. In fact, the struggle intensified. They continued through out the four year term. It made Senate Service more difficult for everyone. On November 7 of this year, Republicans picked up 2 seats, making it 12 Republicans to 23 Democrats. Only four of the Democrats previously aligned with Republicans where they had to pick off at least 2 Democrats that had never before joined them. This, however, was done in short order. One of them was African American. There is just no rest for the weary.

In each of the previous two struggles to choose Senate leadership, the coalition of Democrats and Republicans thought they had at least 18 votes for organizing. Each time the Democrats got one back. We have to get at least one back this time.

Everyday since the election, organizing the Senate has dominated my time. There is just no rest for the weary.

Now on to the Daily Diary

Saturday – I chaired a Unity Breakfast in Selma, worked on various matters, made stops in Lowndes and Montgomery, returned to Selma and worked into the night.

Sunday – I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School before meeting with Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley to visit four churches –First Baptist; Brown Chapel AME; Tabernacle of Praise; and Ebenezer Baptist. I met concerning the lawsuit to remove me from the ballot and handled other matters into the night.

Monday – I substituted as host of the talk radio program Faya’s Fire. I interacted with the Secretary of State’s Office, Legislative Reference Service, and other bodies concerning the election. I called in on the talk radio program, Public Conversation. I attended a Team Selma press conference to announce a new business in the Selma area. I talked to the following: Jim Littleton of Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC); Mayor Phillip White of Uniontown; Perry County School Superintendent John Heard; Rev. Ocie Acoff of Selma; Steve Raby of Huntsville; Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); Judy Cumbee of Chambers County; Becky Hoyt of channel 8 TV; Senator Roger Bedford; Cynthia Rudolph of Lowndes County; Bob Johnson of the Associated Press; Tarlee Brown of Hale/Marengo Counties; Rick Heartsill of Birmingham; and Barbara Pitts of Auburn. I was surprised by my family with a small birthday gathering 10 days after the fact. It was still a special and joyful occasion.

Tuesday – I voted early and called into Faya’s Fire to discuss the election. I talked to the following: Senator Pat Lindsey; former Judge J. C. Norton; Senator Vivian Davis Figures; Greene County School Board Member Lester Brown; Julian Smith of Alabama Power; Senator Quinton Ross; Senator Roger Bedford; Dr. Paul Hubbert; Lowndes County Probate Judge John Edward Hulett; Chris Barrineau of Montgomery; Steve Raby; and Senator Lowell Barron, I had lunch with Barbara Brown of Selma, visited my campaign headquarters and followed local, state, and national election results deep into the night.

Wednesday – I was in Montgomery by 8:00 a.m. to be sworn in by Judge John Edward Hulett. I talked to various leaders including Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks and his assistant John Key. I met in Montgomery with various leaders before traveling to Birmingham for further meeting and back to Selma. I worked into the night.

Thursday – I had three meetings by conference call. I talked to numerous leaders including the following: former Senator Bill Drinkard; Senator Quinton Ross; Senator Bobby Singleton; Senator Bobby Denton; Senator Zeb Little; Sharon Wheeler of the Senate President Pro Tem’s Office; Dr. Paul Hubbert; Senator Lowell Barron; Greene County School Board members Elzora Fluker and Lester Brown; Representative Merika Coleman; Ginger Avery Buckner of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association; Barbara Pitts of ANSC; Sheriff Elect Isom Thomas of Greene County; and Senator Vivian Davis Figures. Senate organizing was a constant theme. I made brief remarks at a Lowndes County School Board meeting in Fort Deposit before returning to Selma to work into the night.

Friday – I went to the hospital to visit my mother by marriage, Mrs. Ora Lee Gaines. I traveled to Montgomery for a meeting with fellow Senators and returned to Selma to work into the night. I talked to the following: Senator Quinton Ross; Senator Hinton Mitchem; Dr. Paul Hubbert; Judy Campbell; Senator Lowell Barron; Senator Vivian Figures; Senator Roger Bedford; and Senator Zeb Little. I worked deep into the night.

Epilogue-I’m still amazed how much energy I can muster when a crisis looms. This is true even when there is no rest for the weary. I mastered the energy this week even though I was truly weary and worn.

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