FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2001
CONTACT: Bill Smith
PHONE: 334-834-5495
MONTGOMERY - Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, a public
interest group, today called for broader freedom to rewrite the state's
antiquated constitution. ACCR Foundation, Inc. President Thomas E.
Corts also pledged to intensify his group's efforts to promote reform
through education and advocacy.
"It's time for a new constitution for a better Alabama:
a constitution that empowers instead of prohibits, that offers vision
instead of reaction, that promotes results instead of inefficiency
and that fosters community rather than division," Corts said.
Alabama's constitution, believed to be the world's longest
at some 315,000 words, is widely condemned for its racist origins.
According to historians, the framers' main purpose in 1901 was to
disenfranchise the state's black Alabamians, along with poor whites.
The constitution also placed severe restrictions on government, forcing
officials to seek frequent amendments to pursue activities such as
economic development. Last November's election boosted the number
of amendments to 707 -- many of them dealing with minute local issues,
such as mosquito control and the removal of dead animals.
"No one living today is to blame for this reviled document,"
Corts said, "but all Alabamians bear a responsibility for replacing
it with a constitution that would make government more efficient and
Alabama more prosperous."
Corts, who is president of the private Samford University
in Birmingham, said ACCR Foundation, Inc. does not endorse any particular
method of reform. Rather, the group's mission is to help citizens
or legislators achieve the kind of constitution Alabama needs.
Under the current document, only a convention called
by the Legislature could write a new constitution. Otherwise, the
Legislature must submit proposed changes one article at a time to
voters.
As part of its call for more freedom, ACCR Foundation,
Inc. advocates allowing the Legislature to write and submit a new
constitution if it chooses. Several earlier reform efforts envisioned
this method. The state Supreme Court in 1983, however, declared that
the Legislature lacked constitutional authority to submit an entire
document to voters.
Several proposals now before the Legislature would remove
this prohibition through a constitutional amendment.
Corts and other ACCR Foundation, Inc. leaders noted that
opinion polls show increasing support for a new constitution.
ACCR Foundation, Inc. grew out of several rallies and
forums across the state that called for a new constitution. The non-partisan
group's board consists of 22 citizens, with former U.S. Rep. Jack
Edwards of Mobile serving as vice-president.
Last month, ACCR Foundation, Inc. opened an office in
Montgomery and hired its first professional staff. It has launched
a fund-raising campaign to support its efforts, while it continues
to attract citizens as contributors and volunteer workers.
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