Alabama Academy of Honor

A Birmingham attorney who received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Virginia and graduated magna cum laude from Yale University's law school in 1923.

Sources:

Alabama Academy of Honor, Administrative files, SG14212-14215, Alabama Dept. of Archives and History.

Alabama Government Manual, 1990.

The Academy was established in 1965 by the legislature to honor distinguished living citizens of the State. Members of the Academy are chosen for some important benefit they have provided to Alabama or for some accomplishment reflecting credit on the State.

The Alabama Academy of Honor consists of not more than 100 living members, including the current Governor and all former Governors who are living. The initial fourteen members of the Academy were chosen by a special committee appointed by the Governor, as provided by law. Thereafter, ten new members were elected annually by the existing membership, until the total membership reached 100. Since that time, the existing membership annually elects a sufficient number of persons to keep its total membership at 100, but not more than ten new members may be chosen each year.

Members are to be chosen for accomplishments in a number of fields; however, no more than twenty-five percent of the members may be chosen for accomplishments in politics. The Academy holds annual meetings for the election of new members and may hold additional special meetings to carry out its purpose. The dates, times, and places of meeting are determined by the members. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum.

The Academy receives an annual appropriation not to exceed $2,000, to be set by the legislature during each regular session. The funds are for the purpose of banquets, plaques, and other appropriate expenses. The records of the Academy are maintained at the Alabama Dept. of Archives and History. Staff support is provided through the office of the Director.