MONTGOMERY Gov. Bob Riley took the oath of office Monday, beginning his term as the 52nd governor of Alabama. And in his first address to the people of Alabama as governor, Riley said he wants to "celebrate the spirit of Alabama."In a ceremony that also featured the swearing in of all of the higher offices in state government, in addition to presentations by civil rights leader Johnny Carr, country music star Randy Owens, and other prominent Alabamians, Riley challenged the government of Alabama to come together and overcome its problems.
Riley, who was sworn in by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, began his inaugural speech by citing Benjamin Franklin's actions at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
"The constitutional committee was in turmoil," Riley said. "It was split over how this nation would be governed. Then Benjamin Franklin rose to speak and said, 'The longer I live the more I realize how God governs in the affairs of man.'"
Riley said Franklin's comments prompted him to pose a question to Alabamians.
"How can we rise without petitioning God?" Riley asked.
He followed that question by saying he wanted to announce his first action as governor of Alabama.
"As my first act as governor, I ask God for His intervention and I ask each of you to pray for me."
Riley said he came to understand while serving as a representative for the Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives the special needs of the people of Alabama.
"I saw then that this is the most extraordinary state in this nation," Riley said. "And that is something we tend to forget from time to time."
Riley added, "We have the most intelligent and hard working men and women in the country. We have produced some of the greatest football teams that will ever play the game. And we are a people who still believe in the goodness and grace of Almighty God."
He said he wanted to point out the importance and power of the "spirit of Alabama."
"When only a few blocks from where I am standing Rosa Parks took a stand against an immoral system, the spirit of Alabama was in her. When Bear Bryant and Shug Jordan made us believe we could be champions, the spirit of Alabama was in them. When Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, when Heather Whitestone was crowned Miss America, when the Allison boys triumphed on the race track, when Helen Keller learned to communicate, the spirit of Alabama was in all of them.
"This spirit of Alabama must be celebrated and remembered. It is the essence of who we are and it flows from the hearts of the people," Riley said.
He said he will sign an executive order commissioning a Spirit of Alabama medal to be given to outstanding Alabama citizens. And the first recipients of the medal were on hand at the inauguration ceremony.
Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, a Vietnam veteran who was portrayed in the movie We Were Soldiers, was honored, civil rights leader Johnny Carr, the country music band Alabama, and Mike Spann, father of Johnny Mike Spann who was the first American casualty in the war against terrorism, were all honored with the Spirit of Alabama medal.
In honoring those Alabamians, Riley asked the audience, "How can our hearts not swell with pride? How can we doubt our greatness?
"There is no reason the state of Alabama cannot match the success of her citizens. I think the people of Alabama have forgotten who we are and what makes us great."
Riley cited some of the problems facing the state of Alabama, namely education funding, a sagging economy and an "unfair tax system" as the challenges he feels can be overcome in his administration.
"I believe there is no challenge too great for us to overcome. There is no longer time for statements such as 'if only' or 'we can't.'"
He continued, "We must and we will succeed. The only question is how and when. And I believe the time is now."
Riley addressed new Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, Senate pro tempore Lowell Barron and Alabama Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, asking that everyone join together for the betterment of the people of the state.
"I need your support to make Alabama the state our people deserve. There will be no playing politics on the people's time. We need to put politics aside and make a break from the past."
Riley said the objective of the state Legislature is to ensure "that we are prepared to succeed."
And Riley said the solutions for the problems facing Alabama must come through fundamental change and reform, and not through "patchwork."
He closed by saying, "I will always endeavor to do what I believe is in the best interest of the people of Alabama. The time for change has come. This government will now serve the people of Alabama."
