Alabama Monument Protection Bill - Lobbying Legislators and Prayer Vigil

On Monday August 3rd, the Alabama state Senate and House convened in a special session called by Governor Bentley to work on a budget.  But this was also an opportunity to present the Monument Protection Bill and attempt to get it passed through the legislature to help protect and preserve memorials to the brave soldiers who fought for Alabama and for our country throughout its history. Alabama Division Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander Gary Carlyle and Division Adjutant Mike Williams worked extremely hard to get this bill drafted and put before the legislature and were present in the committee room when the vote was taken. The Monument Protection Bill (SB12) passed the Senate committee which would be followed by a vote on the Senate floor and then through the House and ultimately to the governor for his signature.  The legislature went into recess though before it went any further so we need to continue to contact our senators and representatives to support this bill as we move into the special session scheduled for September and continue to work until we get this bill to be law in Alabama.  Dragoons including Commander Waldo, Larry Spears, Tyrone Crowley and Cody Simon lobbied the Legislature starting around 3pm on Monday, August 3rd and then some attended the special session called for 4pm following in the Senate chamber as others flagged the monument across Union Street.  Following dismissal, a prayer vigil was held at the Confederate monument on the state capitol grounds to pray for our Southern heritage and leaders both in this cause and our state.  Mike Williams organized the event, tireless as always, and Henry Howard of the Montgomery SCV Semple Camp led everyone in prayer.  Continue to support the Monument Protection Bill and contact your legislators.