Birmingham, AL – In a recent article featured on AL.com, Rep. Mary Moore (D) of Birmingham stated, “Welcome to the new confederacy where a bunch of white men are now going to take over black schools.” Rep. Moore was referring to the recent passing of the Accountability Act 2013 by our State Legislature.
ALGOP Vice-Chairman George Williams released the following statement:
“I am astonished at Rep. Moore for making such a racist statement about our leaders in Montgomery. I am an African-American, Vietnam War Vet, a leader in the Alabama Republican Party, and I support this legislation. Does that mean I am part of the ‘new confederacy?’
“I’m sure that many Alabamians of all races are offended by this statement. Our Republican leaders have worked diligently to create this legislation which will help provide a better education for our children in failing schools no matter their color or race. The Accountability Act of 2013 is about equality in education, not race.
“Alabama has a rich history when it comes to Civil Rights. Blacks and many whites fought hard to integrate our schools during the civil rights era. Rev. Martin Luther King spent his life fighting for these rights and marched numerous times throughout Alabama. This legislation gives every child, including African-American kids, the chance at receiving a better education when their circumstances would not normally allow it. Dr. King would be proud of what we have accomplished here in Alabama.
“The Accountability Act of 2013 will help many kids in Rep. Moore’s very own district. Rep. Moore should be more concerned with removing children from failing schools so they can get a quality education rather than stirring up the community with racial comments like she has done. With some schools in Birmingham that are failing, these children will now have the opportunity to attend a better school which will open them to a brighter future. They will no longer be forced to stay in a poverty stricken area, or a violent school, or a school with low ratings. If anything, this bill is a historic step into improving race relations in Alabama. Rep. Moore is too busy fighting for the Democratic union bosses to see that. I truly hope that Rep. Moore can step forward, retract her statement, and apologize to the people of Alabama,” says George Williams, Vice-Chair of the Alabama Republican Party.
Legislation known as the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 passed both the House and Senate late Thursday. In addition to allowing local school systems to ‘flex’ out of certain rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability, the proposal also provides income tax credits for families with students in a failing school to attend a non-failing school. Individuals or businesses who donate to a nonprofit that provides scholarships for students to attend a non-failing school will also be able to receive tax credits.
Senior Vice-Chairman George Williams is the second highest ranking official in the Alabama Republican Party. He served our country in Vietnam, has an extensive military background, and is a retired Drug Enforcement Agent. George currently resides in Bay Minette, Alabama. He has served in different areas of the Alabama Republican Party for the last 7 years.
Contact: ALGOP Press Office (205) 212-5900