Legislative Wrap-Up, 0519 ALBJ, 80 The Alabama Lawyer 220 (2019)

• Author: Othni J. Lathram Director, Legislative Services Agency Senator Arthur Orr Chair, Alabama Bicentennial Commission
• Position: Vol. 80 3 Pg. 220

LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP

Vol. 80 No. 3 Pg. 220

Alabama Bar Lawyer

May, 2019

Othni J. Lathram Director, Legislative Services Agency

Senator Arthur Orr Chair, Alabama Bicentennial Commission

Alabama's Bicentennial

On December 14, 2019, Alabama will celebrate the 200^th anniversary of its becoming the 22^nd state. The celebration of this significant milestone in history has been cause for much reflection, looking forward and a bit of celebration. The commemoration, like our process to statehood which began with formation as a territory on March 3, 1817, has been a three-year process. These three years of sharing the stories of our great state cause us to celebrate what is good and learn from our mistakes in a way that charts a path for an even better future for our state.

Just before the start of this year's regular session, the legislature spent a weekend in Huntsville, where it kicked off the final stretch of this commemoration. Huntsville is where it all started at Constitution Hall and it was there that Alabama's first constitution was drafted and signed. That event was commemorated through the re-enactment of the roll call of those who signed that document by our current legislators who offered their signatures at that historic place.

While in Huntsville, legislators were also able to visit places on the frontier of the next 100 years of our state, including t he Marshall Space Flight Center. Seeing a full Saturn V rocket on the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon and the new Space Launch System, which will return us to the moon again, reminds us of Alabama's leading role in our nation's space exploration.

Also available were opportunities to learn more about our path to statehood and our constitutions, as well as the unveiling of the United States Postal Service Alabama Bicentennial Stamp featuring a beautiful sunset in Cheaha State Park, captured by photographer Joe Miller.

The commitment to the bicentennial by people around the state has been tremendous. Numerous local and county committees have ensured that every county in the state participates in the bicentennial. More than 200 schools have undertaken projects, and hundreds of teachers and schools have benefited from new resources and professional development opportunities. Teachers, students and their communities will enjoy the fruits of these projects for many years to come.

The Alabama Department of...