Whereas, the 1901 Alabama Constitution is a mammoth and cumbersome document
having more than 700 amendments and is almost 12 times longer
than the average state constitution, and

Whereas, the 1901 Alabama Constitution impedes self government by denying citizens
and their communities of the power of home rule, and

Whereas, the 1901 Alabama Constitution provides an antiquated foundation
for economic progress for the State of Alabama in the 21st Century, and

Whereas, the 1901 Alabama Constitution preserves a failed system of funding public schools
and other governmental services, resulting in inadequate and unpredictable funding
of essential services to the citizens of Alabama, and

Whereas, there is a growing grass roots movement calling for constitutional reform,
as evidenced by newspaper editorials and resolutions passed by diverse organizations
throughout the state of Alabama,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate at the University of Alabama
at Birmingham calls upon the Alabama Legislature to enact proper legislation to place before
the voters of Alabama a referendum to hold a constitutional convention for the purpose
of redrafting the 1901 Alabama Constitution.

September 1, 2002