Governor Bentley Releases Opinion Article About Office of Minority Affairs

In our nation’s capital, just inside the doors to the White House at the East Wing entrance hang two large framed photographs. They are images of the President of the United States walking alongside some of the pillars of America’s Civil Rights Movement. That photo was taken last year in Selma, Alabama. The President, along with thousands, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery March. As Governor, I was honored to be in Selma for that celebration and to welcome both President Obama and President Bush. As I shared the stage that day I, along with the rest of the nation, could not help but take on a renewed appreciation for not just these historic events, but for Alabama’s role in the story of humanity.

This year my Administration launched “Great State 2019”, a bold course of action that will guide our state over the next three years. “Great State 2019” is more than a set of ideas; it’s a blueprint for solving our state’s worst and most persistent problems. The plan addresses access to healthcare in our most underserved rural areas, helping small towns get access to technology, and solving our state’s dangerously overcrowded prison dilemma. The heart of “Great State 2019” is pulling the people of our state out of poverty, out of dependence and out of helplessness and into newer and greater opportunities.  It’s about looking at what’s wrong and figuring out how to make it right.

As human beings we are called on by Our Creator to come alongside and help or minister to the poor, the orphaned and the forgotten. That’s not Republican or Democrat ideology. It’s a command repeated multiple times in the Bible. God calls it Justice. Justice is about restoring broken relationships among communities, individuals and institutions. It’s about setting things right.

The pursuit of justice drove brave men and women to end segregation, fight oppression and stop abuse in Alabama. The result forever left a permanent mark on Alabama, and the Civil Rights Movement is now such a part of our history that its lasting images earn a place of prominence in our nation’s seat of power and around the globe. Justice still calls us to make things whole again- and again.

This month, Alabama took an important step toward restoring and making whole our relations with two of the most marginalized groups in our society, minorities and women. Alabama is now only the second state in the country with a Cabinet-level Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. This month my Administration ensured this office would have a permanent place in our state’s government, beyond my term as Governor. Alabama

State Representative John Knight and State Senator Roger Smitherman made that possible and I’m grateful for their efforts. The office is a valuable resource and gives my Administration a new perspective on addressing minority and women’s issues in Alabama. We can’t claim to seek to improve the lives of every Alabamian without first creating opportunities for every community to be heard.

It’s the pursuit of justice that has driven my Administration to take on the ambitious task to completely transform Alabama’s prison system and solve decades-old problems within our correctional institutions. It’s “setting things right” that led us to look at Tutwiler Women’s Prison, with its long, dark history of abuse, neglect and pain and say no more.  Justice brings our churches and faith community inside the state’s overcrowded and difficult correctional facilities, where they share more than a message, they share hope. Alabama’s inmates are suffering punishment for wrongs, but we must remember it is a Department of Corrections. Adequate facilities give inmates a better chance at correction, to learn a trade and skills for life outside the prison walls. The result will be restored families and restored communities.

This year for the first time, I convened meetings of the Women’s Caucus of the Alabama Legislature, and we discussed the rebuilding and ultimate restoration of Tutwiler Women’s Prison. I’m thankful for their support. Although the Women’s Caucus is a minority voice, I value the perspective it brings.

“Great State 2019” is a bold, exciting and optimistic plan for every Alabamian. Setting things right takes time, it takes hard work, and most importantly it takes everyone pulling together in the same direction. We have made great progress in just the first half of this year, and we have many great things ahead as we work toward figuring out wrongs, and making them right.

Now I want to hear from you. I invite you to share with me and my Administration your thoughts and ideas for what you believe will make Alabama a truly Great State. Let us hear from you at officeofthegovernor@governor.alabama.gov

I look forward to hearing from you. God Bless you all.

For more information on Great State 2019 visit www.governor.alabama.gov/great-state-2019-plan/