ACCR 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary in part with the Fourth Annual Bailey Thomson Awards Luncheon.  This celebration was established to honor the people and institutions that have continued the effort to write a better Alabama Constitution. 

This year’s celebration took place on Thursday, August 19 in Tuscaloosa's Bryant Conference Center. The keynote address was given by former University of Alabama President David Mathews. Dr. Mathews was born and maintains a family home in Grove Hill, Alabama and currently serves as President and CEO of the not-for-profit research organization, the Kettering Foundation.

Almost 400 attendees enjoyed good food, good company, and inspirational messages from Dr. Mathews and the award recipients.

There were four awards given at this year's luncheon.

Edgar C. Gentle III: Bailey Thomson Award
A Birmingham attorney and Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Gentle is an active proponent of constitution reform who takes his message around the state, educating Alabama citizens about the urgent need to build a modern framework that will enable our state to reach its full potential.

Melanie Jeffcoat: Citizen Educator of the Year

An experienced filmmaker, Ms. Jeffcoat researched and co-produced Open Secret, an award-winning documentary that persuasively advocates for reform of the 1901 Alabama Constitution. The film has been screened to enthusiastic audiences statewide since its premiere in February.

Hill Carmichael and Mark Berte: ACCR Foundation Spirit Award
Committed supporters of constitutional reform, Hill Carmichael and Mark Berte have been at the forefront of grassroots efforts for many years. Influential and articulate, they are credited with developing and implementing creative strategies to build public support for a new constitution.

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham: Partner of the Year
Vital ACCR funding partner, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham helped underwrite the mock constitution convention as well as the Bring It Back Home grassroots education project. The Foundation’s generous support is integral to growth of reform efforts.
(left - James McCrary and Kate Nielsen of the CFGB)

Past winners:

The Bailey Thomson Award
2009 - Governor Albert P. Brewer
2009 - Chief Justice J. Gorman Houston, Jr.
2008 - Dr. Wayne Flynt
2007 - Dr. Thomas E. Corts

Partner of the Year
2009 - Alabama Poverty Project
2008 - AAUW of Alabama
2008 - Mobile Chamber of Commerce
2007 - Greater Birmingham Ministries

Citizen Educator of the Year
2009 - Bill Giardini
2009 - Mary Holdsambeck
2008 - Leevones Dubose
2007 - Lewis Lehe

A big thank you to all of this year's sponsors!

Gold
EBSCO
Randall Pettus Holdings LLC
Troy University
Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce
Vulcan Materials Company

Silver
AAUW of Alabama
Energen
Nucor Steel
Parker Towing
University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences
University of Alabama Culverhouse College School of Commerce and Business Adminstration
University of Alabama Law School
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Bronze
ACCR, Inc.
Alabama Civil Justice Foundation
Alabama Press Association
Former Governor Albert Brewer
Bryant Bank
Marla and Chris Corts
James E. (Jim) McLean
Kristi Thomson
Nettworth Financial Group
Public FA
Regions Bank
Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Gorman Houston
Sirote & Permutt, PC
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
The Tuscaloosa News
University of Alabama
University of Alabama Office of University Advancement
The College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences
University of Alabama Office of Community Affairs

© 2010
Post Office Box 10746
Birmingham, AL 35202-0746