Kay Ivey participates in groundbreaking ceremony for restoration of Historic Brown Chapel AME Church
Last Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Restoration Project of the Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, AL. Built in 1908, Brown Chapel will receive a $1.3 million grant from the National Park Service for the church’s restorations and repairs, including electrical work, roof work, and cupola repairs. The church serves as a historic Civil Rights landmark, originally gaining notoriety for its role in “Bloody Sunday,” which served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A recent press release from the Office of Governor Kay Ivey stated, “In the 1960s, the Brown Chapel AME Church became widely-known during the Voting Rights Movement for the “Bloody Sunday” confrontation and the subsequent march from the church to the state capitol in Montgomery. In March 1998, Brown Chapel AME Church was awarded the distinctive status of a National Historic Landmark for its significant participation in the struggle for equality and justice for all people.” On Twitter, she commented, “It was truly an honor to join Brown Chapel AME Church for the groundbreaking of their $1.3 million restoration project. This National Historic Landmark church’s legacy with the Civil Rights Movement will on for future generations.” It was truly an honor to join Brown Chapel AME Church for the groundbreaking of their $1.3 million restoration project. This National Historic Landmark church’s legacy with the Civil Rights Movement will live on for future generations. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/4UVhdtYVvY — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) June 23, 2021 Ivey reflected on Selma’s rich history in the fight for Civil Rights during her speech last week, “These new renovations will add to the significance of this historic landmark and continue to showcase the deep-rooted history of the civil rights movement and the city of Selma.” Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Selma Mayor James Perkins, and former Alabama GOP Chair Terry Lathan, among other state leaders, were also in attendance at the ceremony. Sewell recalled attending the church in her youth with her family and thanked the National Park Service during her speech at the ceremony. “It’s always good to be back in Selma,” Sewell expressed. “This $1.3 million grant from the National Park Service will do is to ensure that America’s story lives on, that we who are members of this great church are not alone in preserving it because this church is a part of America’s history.” Rep. Sewell stated on Twitter, “Brown Chapel AME has always symbolized the rich history of the Civil Rights Movement and remains critical to understanding where our nation stands today. This $1.3 million grant ensures that it will be preserved not only in our hearts, but also in American History.” Brown Chapel AME has always symbolized the rich history of the Civil Rights Movement and remains critical to understanding where our nation stands today. This $1.3 million grant ensures that it will be preserved not only in our hearts, but also in American History. pic.twitter.com/rwvCTsdXQp — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) June 23, 2021
Alabama politicians respond to Andrew Cuomo saying America ‘was never that great’
Two-term New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sparked a firestorm when he criticized President Donald Trump and his famous and his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) campaign slogan. “We’re not going to Make America Great Again,” Cuomo said in Manhattan Wednesday. “It was never that great. We have not reached greatness. We will reach greatness when every American is fully engaged.” Backlash quickly ensued as his remarks went viral online with Alabama politicians quickly jumping on the comment. They suggested Cuomo’s remarks were outrageous and that he should apologize. Here’s what Alabama politicians have to say about Cuomo’s remarks: Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne | via Twitter “Governor Cuomo should tell those who survived the Depression and fought in World War II, like my dad, that America was never a great country. Frankly, he should apologize for such an outrageous comment.” Governor Cuomo should tell those who survived the Depression and fought in World War II, like my dad, that America was never a great country. Frankly, he should apologize for such an outrageous comment. https://t.co/krEtM5XyuA — Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) August 16, 2018 Alabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers | via Twitter “Not sure about New York, but here in Alabama we believe America is great and becoming even GREATER! #MAGA #ALPOLITICS.” Not sure about New York, but here in Alabama we believe America is great and becoming even GREATER! #MAGA #ALPOLITICShttps://t.co/7tFLNOJrj5 — Mike Rogers Campaign (@MikeRogersCamp) August 15, 2018 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt | via Twitter “There is not a country on earth that has done more good for more people than America. This country most definitely has been great, and thanks to President Trump, we are going to be great again.” There is not a country on earth that has done more good for more people than America. This country most definitely has been great, and thanks to President Trump, we are going to be great again. https://t.co/f1CwKNzeUV — Rep. Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) August 15, 2018 Terry Lathan | Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party “Hey @andrewcuomo I will pay for your air fare to Normandy, France if you will go to the beaches that the greatest generation stormed and say that America “never was that great”. Maybe you can stand by NY’s Theodore Roosevelt Jr’s grave and say it… #AndrewCuomo #alpolitics“ Hey @andrewcuomo I will pay for your air fare to Normandy, France if you will go to the beaches that the greatest generation stormed and say that America “never was that great”. Maybe you can stand by NY’s Theodore Roosevelt Jr’s grave and say it… #AndrewCuomo #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/RDiVjooPeg — Terry Lathan (@ChairmanLathan) August 16, 2018
ALGOP Chair Terry Lathan applauds Republican Caucus’ legislative accomplishments
The Alabama Legislature ended its 2018 session on Thursday after using 26 of its available 30 work days. Following the close of session, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan praised the Republican Caucus’ for its legislative accomplishments and “positive progress” during the 2018 legislative session. “We are proud that our Alabama Republican legislators worked so well together this session to pass legislation that will greatly benefit our state,” Lathan said in a statement. “We are thankful for Governor Ivey’s leadership in partnering with our legislature to make sure our state reaches its maximum potential. From historic middle-class tax cuts to teacher pay raises, our Republican legislators have worked hard to improve the quality of life for countless Alabamians.” Lathan celebrated the Caucus for leading the way in passing the following pieces of legislation: The first tax cut for middle-class Alabamians since 2008 The largest state education budget since 2006 A 2.5% pay raise for teachers The first state employee pay raise in a decade The Parks for Patriots Act, which welcomes Alabama veterans to state parks for no charge The Alabama Rural Broadband Act, which expands broadband services in rural Alabama The Alabama Data Breach Notification Act, which requires private companies and state agencies to report data breaches to consumers The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering to be built in Huntsville, AL The 2019 Alabama State Budget which: ‘increases funds for prisons and state troopers, and protects taxpayers by avoiding any new taxes’ “These legislative acts are an example of the many reasons we must keep a Republican majority in the state house and senate. Alabama voters will remember lower taxes, technology advances, better education and fiscally conservative budgets when they head to the polls this November,” Lathan continued. “We look forward to watching our GOP team continue to serve our citizens as they strive to make our state a better place to live and call home. As we close this chapter of 2018 and journey toward a busy election season, we will keep our vision clear and move ahead with a determination to be a party of purpose and strength.”
