On September 11, 2006 the Local 2195 Retiree Chapter held their annual Fish Fry at the Union Hall. This year’s event had over 300 in attendance as the crowd was treated to a feast of fried fish, hush puppies and all the trimmings. Once again Lynn Layton Chevrolet of Decatur sponsored the Fish Fry as they have supported many functions for Local 2195 members.

This year’s featured speaker was Alabama Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley. Lucy Baxley has proven to be a friend to Local 2195 and this wasn’t her first trip to the local union. Local 2195 Retiree Chair Chuck McDonald introduced Lieutenant Governor Baxley to the enthusiastic crowd. “It is good to be back with you good folks here in Athens again,” Baxley stated. “I have been traveling the state during this campaign talking to the citizens of this state and I must tell you I am troubled. I see working families struggling to get by; hard working people who cant make the ends meet. I’ll tell you now a person who works every day shouldn’t have to wonder if they are going to be able to feed their family, they shouldn’t have to worry about having a place to live or be afraid that a family member is going to get sick without health care.

Recently I was shopping at the Dollar General Store when I saw a father and son with a shopping cart. You could tell these were working people as they very carefully selected the items for their purchase. The son asked the father if they could have a bottle of soda and the father told him they would have to see. The father then opened his wallet and took out a single $20 – all the money he had and began to count the items to see if there was enough money for his son to have a bottle of soda. I tell you brothers and sisters, that it is a shame when a working person can’t afford a $1.50 soft drink for their child. People in this state are hurting and struggling but yet those in authority refuse to acknowledge this pain.

I argued with the Governor over the minimum wage. The national minimum wage hasn’t been raised in this country since 1997. For nine years it has been stalled at $5.15 an hour. Many states have taken it upon themselves to raise the minimum wage of their state because the federal government refuses to acknowledge those who suffer under this small wages. I pressed Governor Riley to help me lead an effort to raise the minimum wage in this country and all he as to say to me is “he doesn’t know anybody who works for minimum wage.” You know, I guess he doesn’t know anyone who works for minimum wage because all his buddies are wealthy. A recent study showed that 126,000 worker in Alabama would benefit from a raise in the minimum wage.

Then of course there is the issue with corporations that run out on the pension funds. It is time we did something to stop these corporations from running out on their obligations to their employees. The governor can get on TV and talk about how good everything in the state is if he wants to, but Alabama’s working families know better.

Plus, the Governor carries on about former Governor Don Siegelman and the lottery, when in fact evidence shows that convicted lobbyist Michael Scanlon was trying to donate over $75,000 of money to Riley’s 2002 campaign that was donated by the Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians. This money was being funneled through the National Republican Congressional Committee. The Mississippi Band of the Choctaw Indians was spending this money to insure there wasn’t any competition for their tribal casinos. While Governor Riley spouts off about morals and gambling, he is willing to except gambling money in his campaign.

While we are on the subject of morals, let me say that I grew up on a farm in rural Houston County, Alabama, where church services were part of our week. I learned the Christian values there that have shaped my life and beliefs at these church services. I am tired of the Republicans acting as if they have the corner on the “moral high ground.” See, I was raised to belief that my faith is the single most important thing in my life and it isn’t to be used for personal gain or to stump for votes. Our relationship with our God and Savior is greater than a public office and greater than Earthly gain. That relationship should be held in the highest esteem and not to be used for political purposes.

I thank you for allowing me the chance to meet with you here today and I want you to know that we will continue to be your advocate in Montgomery as together we work to insure that all of the citizens of this great state are covered by your State Government.

Thank You.”