Updates

This week, I convened a bipartisan group of Senators to read aloud Martin Luther King Jr.’s “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” This was the second year I’ve done this, and I hope to make it an annual tradition.

Even after New Year’s celebrations have died down, the beginning of the year is a time to reflect on the past and set goals for the year to come. I’m proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish since I was sworn in to the Senate in January of 2018, but there’s still so much work to be done.

It’s been a little over a month since we learned about the death of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney in Birmingham. That kind of violence against a beautiful child of God is just beyond comprehension.

The holidays bring many traditions in Alabama – gathering with family and friends, the Iron Bowl, giving thanks for all that we share. But for many men and women the holidays also mean the start of an annual way of life in a state blessed with an abundance of natural resources – hunting season in Alabama.

Right now Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions across the country are facing a disastrous financial cliff, all because the Senate has failed to renew $255 million in federal funding for these schools.

There’s been a lot in the news about all kinds of things going on up here in DC, but I want to use this opportunity to make sure you all know that despite all that, my main focus is and always will be working on behalf of the people of Alabama.

This week is Alabama College Application week and I’m proud to be partnering with Alabama Possible and the Alabama Department of Education to encourage high school seniors to apply to Alabama colleges and universities for free.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve spent much of my time traveling across Alabama hearing from folks about how we can improve access to health care in our state.

16 April 1963

My Dear Fellow Clergymen: