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February 26, 2003

In this issue:

• ACCR statewide conference March 17
• Register for the conference today!
• Upcoming constitutional reform events

ACCR statewide conference March 17

  ACCR's 2003 statewide conference, “Road to Reform: Moving Toward a Modern Constitution”, will be held in Birmingham at the Scrushy Center on March 17 from 8:15 AM to 1:00 PM. This conference will allow citizens to learn more about our progress to acheive a modern charter for Alabama. We invite you to join us in Birmingham and learn how you can get on board.

Conference participants include the following:
Governor Bob Riley (Invited)
Artur Davis, Congressman, 7th District
Jack Edwards, ACCR Board and former Congressman
David Adkisson, Birmingham Regional Chamber
Sid McAnnally, ACCR Board and Decatur attorney
Bill O'Conner, Manager, Campaign for Alabama
Drayton Nabers, Finance Director (Invited)
Kimble Forrister, Executive Director, Alabama Arise
Jim Bennett, former Secretary of State
Lenora Pate, Vice Chair, Governor's commission
Scott Douglas, Greater Birmingham Ministries
Donald Brown, ACCR's constitution commission
Bailey Thomson, Associate Professor, Univ. of Alabama
Odessa Woolfolk, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Wayne Flynt, Distinguished Professor, Auburn University
Thomas Corts, Chairman, ACCR

   The conference will feature two panels with experts who will discuss some of the most pressing issues in the state. The first panel is entitiled, "Alabama's Financial Crisis: What are the solutions?"

   The second panel deals with the recent activity of ACCR's and the Governor's constitution commissions. It is entitled, "Report by Constitutional Commissions: How can this method work?"

The complete conference agenda is available at the link below.

Click here for the conference agenda

Governor's commission to release final report Thursday

   To register for the statewide conference, please click on the link below for the registration form, print it, fill out the required sections, and mail it back to us. You may also register for the conference over the telephone by calling 334-834-5495.

   The registration cost is $25 for non-ACCR members, $15 for ACCR members, and free for students. Registration costs include a luncheon with speakers.

   In order to give us sufficient time to prepare, please register by March 13.

Click here for the registration form

Upcoming constitutional reform events

   Although not all of these are ACCR events, you may call us at 334-834-5495 or reply to this email for more information on them.

1) February 27 - MONTGOMERY: Jim Bennett to speak on constitutional reform in Montgomery at 6:00 PM at the Arise Issue Preview Meeting at St John AME Church, 807 Madison Avenue.
2) March 4 - MONTGOMERY: Regular session of the Legislature begins. The Governor's State of the State speech will be at 6:30 PM in the old House Chamber in the State Capitol building. Now is a great time to contact the governor and your legislators to let them know how important comprehensive constitutional reform is to you before the session begins. You can find their contact information at www.legislature.state.al.us.
3) March 7 - BIRMINGHAM: Gov. Riley's constitution commission to hold public hearing in Birmingham at the downtown branch of the public library from 10 AM to Noon.
4) March 8 - DEMOPOLIS: Forum on Tax and Constitutional Reform at the Robertson Banking Company Auditorium from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Speakers include David Perry (ACCR), Kwamena Blankson (Arise), and Susan Hamill (UA Law Professor). Call Kelley Parris-Barnes at 334-264-3571 for more information.
5) March 17 - BIRMINGHAM: Statewide conference, "Road to Reform: Moving Toward a Modern Constitution", to be held in Birmingham at the Scrushy Center from 8:15 AM to 1:00 PM.

Join or renew your membership online!