>>> FROM ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION STUDIOS IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE LATEST JOBS REPORT IS OUT TODAY AND IT SHOWS ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WENT UP SLIGHTLY TO 2.3% FOR OCTOBER.

IT WAS 2.2% IN SEPTEMBER.

STILL AT HISTORIC LOWS.

HOWEVER, THE STATE'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 57%.

THAT'S THE NUMBER THE STATE IN NOW CONCENTRATING ON BECAUSE IT SHOWS HOW MANY ABLE-BODIED ALABAMIANS ARE EITHER WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK.

ALABAMA'S RATE IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE NATION.

SLIGHTLY BETTER NEWS IS THAT THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR PRIME AGE WORKERS - THOSE BETWEEN 25 AND 54 YEARS OLD, IS 78%.

>>> THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MET THIS WEEK TO HEAR PRESENTATIONS FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT ENTITIES VYING FOR GRANTS TO HELP COMBAT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL NEGOTIATED A $270 MILLION SETTLEMENT FROM OPIOID MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF HELPING CAUSE THE COUNTRY'S OPIOID CRISIS.

THESE DOLLARS CAN BE USED FOR A VARIETY OF CAUSES, FROM PREVENTING ADDICTION TO DRUG AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TO BROADER PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPIOID ABUSE.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS SAID HE HOPES PLENTY OF RESOURCES WILL GO TOWARD EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH CARING AND EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION AND YOU HEARD THAT TODAY.

I SAY WE COME FROM OUR OWN POSITIONS AND EXPERIENCES.

WITH MY WORK ON THE OPIOID COUNCIL WE FOCUSED ON GETTING RESOURCES TO PEOPLE WHO NEED TREATMENT.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF WHAT WE SEE AS IMPORTANT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LARGE SUM OF FUNDING AVAILABLE BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO LAST FOREVER, OF COURSE.

IT'S NOT EVEN THAT LARGE COMPARED TO THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LOT OF FUNDING.

WE HOPE WE CAN USE IT TO MEET THE NEED OF THOSE STRUGGLING.

>>> THERE'S GROWING CONCERN ABOUT AVIAN FLU IN ALABAMA.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECENT OUTBREAKS OF A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS AMONG FLOCKS IN CHILTON AND MARSHALL COUNTIES.

EXPERTS AT THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ARE EVEN CONSIDERING REQUESTING HELP FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD.

STATE VETERINARIAN TONY FRAZIER SPOKE THIS WEEK AT THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES.

HE SAID THE BIRD FLU DOES NOT POSE A RISK TO HUMANS, BUT IT IS DEADLY AND HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS TO BREEDS OF BIRDS, INCLUDING CHICKENS, PHEASANTS QUAIL AND DUCKS.

CONTAINING OUTBREAKS IS COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE, WHICH IS WHY OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING ASKING GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TO CALL UPON THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP.

POULTRY IS ALABAMA'S SECOND LARGEST INDUSTRY.

>>> AN ALABAMA DEATH ROW INMATE WAS EXECUTED THIS WEEK.

49-YEAR OLD CASEY MCWHORTER WAS PUT TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION THURSDAY NIGHT AT HILLMAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN ATMORE.

HE WAS CONVICTED OF THE KILLING OF EDWARD LEE WILLIAMS, JR. BACK IN 1993 AND HAS SPENT 30 YEARS ON DEATH ROW.

THE VICTIM'S FAMILY SAID IT WAS QUOTE UNFORTUNATE WE HAD TO WAIT SO LONG FOR JUSTICE TO BE SERVED, BUT IT'S BEEN SERVED.

IN HIS FINAL WORDS, MCWHORTER TOLD THE VICTIM'S FAMILY HE WAS SORRY AND THAT QUOTE "“I HOPE YOU FIND PEACE.

"” >>> DURING THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL TO CUT THE STATE SALES TAX ON GROCERIES BY ONE CENT, WITH PLANS FOR FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN THE COMING YEARS.

THAT REDUCTION WENT INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER, AND A STUDY COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK TO SEE WHAT THE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN ON STATE BUDGETS.

THERE WAS CONCERN THAT THE TAX CUT WOULD ADVERSELY IMPACT THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND WHERE THOSE DOLLARS FLOW.

BUT STATE BUDGET EXPERTS SAY THE IMPACT HAS BEEN LESS COSTLY THAN EXPECTED.

>> I SAID IT QUITE A BIT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, 2021 TO 2022 WERE SUGAR HIGH FOR THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND.

THEY WERE OUT OF LINE WITH NORMAL GROWTH PATTERNS.

IN FACT, I'LL SHOW IN JUST A SECOND.

SO FAR OUT OF LINE THAT IT IS AN ANOMALY.

A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY, A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT AND SHOP LIKE THEY NORMALLY DO.

A LOT OF INFLATION.

A LOT OF REASONS WHY THERE WAS A HUGE INCREASE IN REVENUES OVER '21, '22 AND ACTUALLY IN TO '23 BUT IT WAS FLAT.

THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

ESSENTIALLY WE HAD NO GROWTH OVER '22.

AT THAT LEVEL, $10.43 BILLION, WE ARE STILL FAR ABOVE WHAT'S NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE BUDGET ENACTED FOR '24.

>> WE HEARD TODAY FROM THE FISCAL OFFICE AND THEY DETAILED THE NUMBERS THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'LL KNOW MUCH MORE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE DATA FROM THE START OF SEPTEMBER 1.

SO, WE HAVE SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER DATA THAT'S COME IN.

WE'LL KNOW MORE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

HEARD FROM ALABAMA RISE AND THE GROCERS ABOUT THE IMPACT THEY ARE SEEING LOCALLY WITH FOLKS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE HOMES.

ALL IN ALL I THINK WE ARE POSITIVE IN THE FACT THAT GROCERY TAX IS NOW A PERCENT LOWER AND HEADED TO ANOTHER PERCENT REDUCTION AS SOON AS THE NUMBERS ARE THERE IN THE BUDGET.

>>> ADVOCATES MET AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK FOR AN EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ALS AND RAISE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND SUPPORT.

THE KERRY AND GARY CHALLENGE TO DEFEAT ALS FEATURES FORMER UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA RUNNING BACK KERRY GOODE AND FORMER AUBURN BASKETBALL PLAYER GARY GODFREY, BOTH OF WHOM NOW SUFFER FROM ALS.

THEY ARE TEAMING UP THIS IRON BOWL SEASON TO CHALLENGE FANS TO DONATE TO THE CAUSE OF FINDING A CURE FOR ALS AND SUPPORTING ALS PATIENTS AND FAMILIES.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WAS ALSO AT THE EVENT AS WAS KELLY BUTLER, FORMER STATE FINANCE DIRECTOR WHO STEPPED DOWN LAST YEAR AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH THE DISEASE.

>> WE ACTUALLY PRAYED AND WONDERED WHAT WAS OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE.

WHAT WERE WE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS.

OF COURSE IT WAS A KNOCK IN THE HEAD WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THIS.

SO WE PRAYED AND WANTED TO KNOW WHAT GOD WANTED US TO DO WITH THIS.

SO, THIS IS WHAT CAME OF IT, ADVOCACY TO SPREAD THE WORD, TO GET IT OUT.

WHEN HE WAS RUNNING ACROSS THAT FIELD, FOR, OF COURSE, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ROLL TIDE.

THAT WAS A STEPPING STONE TO HIS LIFE.

THIS IS THE PURPOSE.

IT'S A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE FOR BOTH OF THESE GENTLEMEN.

I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE -- EAGLE BUT IT IS MORE.

IT IS BIGGER THAN THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO.

IT IS OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE.

SO, THAT'S WHAT GOD HAS DIRECTED US TO DO.

SO, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> THE YEAR'S BUSIEST TRAVEL SEASON IS UPON US AS MANY FAMILIES PREPARE TO HIT THE ROAD OVER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

AS RANDY SCOTT REPORTS, TRAVELERS MAY HAVE AN EXTRA REASON TO CELEBRATE THIS YEAR.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE START OF TRAFFIC BUILDING UP FOR THE BIG DAY, NOT CHRISTMAS BUT TRAVELERS ARE GETTING A GIFT FOR THANKSGIVING, LOWER GAS PRICES.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN QUITE A WHILE THE STATE AVERAGE IS BELOW $3 A GALLON.

WE HIT 2.99 A GALLON FOR THE STATE.

IT IS A WELCOME SIGHT FOR EVERYBODY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR LIKELY.

>> CLAY INGRAM SAYS IT HAS BEEN SINCE EARLY SPRING SINCE GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN THIS LOW.

>> WHEN BEGET INTO THE FALL AND GET VACATIONS BEHIND US, SCHOOL GETS BACK AND DEMAND TRICKLES DOWNWARD AS THE WEATHER COOLS OFF AND WE SEE GAS PRICES FOLLOW SUIT AND TRICKLE DOWN A BIT AS WELL THROUGHOUT THE FALL AND INTO WINTER.

>> HE ADDS THERE ARE OTHER REASONS FOR THE LOW PRICES.

>> CRUDE OIL IS A GLOBALLY TRADED COMMODITY, LIKE RICE AND WHEAT AND GOLD AND SILVER.

WE HAVE TO PAY THE GLOBAL MARKET PRICE HERE IN THE U.S. LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD.

IT'S A GLOBAL SITUATION, NOT A U.S. SITUATION.

>> CONCERNS FOR FOREIGN CONFLICTS AREN'T AS LARGE AS BEFORE SAYS INGRAM.

>> THIS YEAR, WHEN WE HAD THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL, THEY ARE NOT A BIG CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTRY.

SO WE DIDN'T HAVE THE IMPACT WE HAD LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THAT SITUATION.

>> AAA SAYS ALABAMA IS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE STATES ON AVERAGE WITH LOW GAS PRICES BUT IT HELPS TO STAY ALERT.

>> WITH US HAVING OUR STATE AVERAGE AT 2.99, WE WILL SEE A WIDE VARIETY OF PRICES.

SOME STATIONS AT 2.89 AND SOME AT 3:19 A GALLON.

IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL, YOU CAN PAY 40 CENTS A GALLON OR MORE THAN YOU NEED TO PAY FOR GAS.

BE SURE TO PRICE SHOP EVERY SINGLE TANK FULL.

>> INGRAM SAID PROPER MAINTENANCE OF YOUR VEHICLE WILL HELP AND THERE ARE GROUPS MONITORING PRICES FOR CONSUMERS.

>> WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING THE GAS PRICE SITUATION ON A DAILY BASIS FROM EVERY POSSIBLE ASPECT.

OUR MAIN FOCUS IS JUST THE GENERAL CONSUMER, MOTORISTS OUT THERE AND WHAT THEY ARE PAYING BUT A LOT OF BUSINESSES HAVE FUEL-RELATED COSTS, AS WELL.

WHETHER DIESEL, GASOLINE, DELIVERING PRODUCTS TO WAREHOUSES, RETAIL PLACES, TO PEOPLE'S HOMES NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT, WE'LL HEAD OVER TO THE STATE HOUSE FOR OUR INTERVIEW PORTION OF THE SHOW.

TWO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES WILL BE JOINING US THIS WEEK - DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN AND MONTGOMERY REPUBLICAN CAROLEEN DOBSON.

I'LL ALSO BE SPEAKING WITH HIGHLANDS COLLEGE PRESIDENT MARK PETTUS ABOUT THEIR UPCOMING IMPACT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.

AND STEVE DUER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AGAPE OF CENTRAL ALABAMA JOINS ME TO DISCUSS NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH.

THOSE INTERVIEWS WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> LOWNDES COUNTY NATIVE, E.D.

NIXON WAS A LONG TIME LEADER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN ALABAMA.

HE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BLACK VOTERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND A KEY ORGANIZER OF SEVERAL CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE.

HE WAS ELECTED AS THIS PRESIDENT OF THE MONTGOMERY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP T TWO YEARS LATER BECOMING THE STATE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION.

IN 1955, NIXON AND A GROUP OF MONTGOMERY AREA CLERGY AND CIVIC LEADERS FOUNDED THE MONTGOMERY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION OR MIA.

IT PROVIDED A FOCAL POINT FOR ACTIVISM IN MONTGOMERY'S BLACK COMMUNITY AND ITS LEADERS ORGANIZED THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT IN WHICH THE BLACK CITIZENS REFUSED TO RIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR AN ASTOUNDING 381 DAYS.

LONG OVERDUE RECOGNITION WAS BESTOWED WHEN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS NAMED IN HIS HONOR IN 2001.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENT JUANDALYNN GIVAN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> WE WILL TRY TO HAVE ALL OF THE CANDIDATES ON, OR AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

YOU POPPED IN THE RACE FOR ALABAMA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THE QUESTION I HAVE TO ASK EVERYBODY IS WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR CONGRESS?

>> THE QUESTION SHOULD BE WHY NOT ME?

I'M MORE THAN QUALIFIED AND PEOPLE DESERVE A VOICE AND LEADERSHIP AND I'M THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL ALWAYS ASK THE QUESTION WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE?

THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

FOR ME, AS I STARTED TO TOUR AND TRAVEL ABOUT THIS STATE I'M BEGINNING TO HEAR MORE AND MORE FROM THE PEOPLE.

THEIR CONCERN IS THAT WE RUN FOR THESE SEATS BUT FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

FOR ME, MY THEME IS TOGETHER WE CAN.

SO, TOGETHER WE CAN AND IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

ONCE WE MARRY THOSE TWO, THE QUESTION ANSWERS ITSELF.

WHY ME?

I'M THE PERSON TO DO IT AND TO CONNECT THE DOTS.

PLUS, EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER, AND I'M A WINNER.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE ONE OF A HANDFUL OF CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE SEAT THAT ISN'T FROM THE 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

YOU'LL GET THIS QUESTION FROM VOTERS.

THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT YOU LIVE IN THE DISTRICT THAT YOU RUN IN BUT THERE MAY BE AN EXPECTATION.

WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER TO VOTERS WHO MAY QUESTION, WELL, YOU DON'T ACTUALLY LIVE IN MONTGOMERY OR MOBILE OR PART OF THE 2ND DISTRICT.

>> MY ANSWER TO THEM WILL BE UPON ME WINNING AND EVEN IF I DON'T WIN, I REPRESENT ALL OF THE PEOPLE.

I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE EVEN IN MY LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY.

YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY IT TIME AND TIME FROM THE PODIUM AS WE DEBATE.

WHEN YOU ARE IN AN ELECTED POSITION YOU REPRESENT YOUR HOME BASE AND ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE ALABAMIANS, OR CITIZENS THROUGHOUT.

SO FOR ME IT WON'T BE ANY DIFFERENT THAN IF I'M PICKING UP A NEW AREA IN THINK LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

I'M GOING TO GET OUT HERE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE OFF MY HEELS AND THESE FINE JACKET ANSWER PUT ON MY BOOTS, SNEAKERS OR WHATEVER IT IS I CHOOSE TO WEAR BUT I'M GOING TO GET OUT HERE AND CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THERE'S NO BIGGER FIGHTER IN MONTGOMERY THAN ME.

I'M UNAPOLOGETIC IN WHAT I DO WHEN I GO TO THAT MICROPHONE.

WHEN I FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE.

I'M ALWAYS FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO BE TREATED LIKE I WANT TO BE TREATED.

SO I TRY TO ADDRESS AND ATTACK ISSUES IN A WAY THAT I'M SEEING AND HEARING THE VOICES OF THOSE WHOSE VOICES CANNOT BE HEARD.

>> AS THIS CAMPAIGN GETS STARTED, IT WILL BE A COMPRESSED TIMELINE WITH THE PRIMARY IN MARCH.

WHAT ISSUES, IN PARTICULAR, ARE YOU ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, THAT CONGRESS ADDRESSES, ARE YOU WANTING TO HIGHLIGHT AS YOUR CAMPAIGN GOES FORWARD?

>> NOT ONLY THAT CONGRESS ADDRESSES.

LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED.

A LARGE PORTION OF THIS DISTRICT 2 ENCOMPASSES NOT JUST THE TWO BIG CITIES OF MONTGOMERY AND MOBILE BUT THOSE AREAS CONSIDERED THE BLACK BELT.

WE HAVE AREAS STILL IN THIS STATE THAT ARE CONSIDERED SOME OF THE POOREST IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH CLEAN WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, MORE AID FOR OUR FARMERS IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.

SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M ADDRESSING THEIR NEEDS.

HOSPITALS, WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET MORE HOSPITALS IN RURAL ALABAMA?

YOU HAVE SOME COUNTIES WHERE THERE'S NOT A HOSPITAL IN BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO TO THREE COUNTIES APART.

MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO EITHER BE AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL OR REGIONAL HOSPITAL OR THEY END UP HAVING TO DRIVE AT LEAST 45 MINUTES TO GET THOSE SERVICES.

THE PEOPLE IN THESE AREAS ARE SIMPLE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR A LOT, BUT THEY ARE ASKING FOR GOOD EDUCATION.

IN SOME AREAS THERE MAYBE ONLY ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MAYBE TWO.

YOU MIGHT HAVE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS.

WELL, IN THE BIGGER CITIES, OF COURSE, THERE'S A HIGH SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL ON EVERY END.

WE WANT TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

BROADBAND.

I WAS WALKING IN ONE OF THE AREAS IN THE DISTRICT JUST THE OTHER DAY AND WE HAVE SO MANY AREAS, EVEN OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE BY THE WAY OF BROADBAND THAT ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO GET REASONABLE INTERNET SERVICES AND GET THEM AT A REASONABLE FEE.

AND LASTLY THE ROADS.

WE CONTINUE TO PRESS THIS ISSUE ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE HAVE SO MANY DIRT ROADS THAT STILL EXIST IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AGAIN, THESE ARE SIMPLE ISSUES.

WE KNOW THE ISSUES, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, HUMAN JUSTICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, VOTING RIGHTS ISSUES.

THESE ARE THE ISSUES OF THE DAY EVERY DAY.

THE QUESTION IS CAN I CHANGE EVERYTHING?

AM I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A PROMISE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING, NO, I'M NOT BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THOSE ISSUE AND TRY TO COME UP WITH DIPLOMATE WAYS TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

EVERYTHING THAT I'VE DONE IN THIS LEGISLATURE, I'VE PASSED MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION AND FOR EVEN THE BATTLES I HAVE HAD I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO DO THAT AND I THINK I WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN WASHINGTON.

PEOPLE WANT A VOICE.

THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING YOU TO WIN EVERY BATTLE BUT WANT TO KNOW YOU AT LEAST HEARD THEIR CRIES AND DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> SPEAKING OF BIPARTISANSHIP, THIS DISTRICT IS NEWLY REDRAWN.

WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ELECTION YET BUT IT WILL PROBABLY BE MODERATE.

IT MAY LEAN A LITTLE BIT DEMOCRAT BUT NOT REALLY HEAVILY.

YOU HAVE WIN TO GENERAL ELECTION AND APPEAL TO INDEPENDENTS AND PROGRESSIVES.

ARE YOU THE KIND OF CANDIDATE THAT CAN APPEAR?

>> I'M DEFINITELY THAT KIND OF CANDIDATE.

I THINK I DO THAT HERE ON A DAILY BASIS EVEN IN MY LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY.

AS I SAID, THE ISSUES ARE THE SAME.

WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIX THOSE ISSUES BUT I UNDERSTAND THEY WILL BE INDEPENDENT.

I UNDERSTAND THERE WILL BE SOME REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

I UNDERSTAND THERE WILL BE MORE MODERATES VERSUS PROGRESSIVES VERSUS MORE CONSERVATIVES AND ALL OF THOSE REGARDS.

THE FIRST THING IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE AN OPEN DIALOGUE.

BEING ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

OFTENTIMES, WE DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

SPECIAL INTEREST KICKS IN, MY BELIEF OR MY VALUE SYSTEM KICKS IN.

UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THEIR VALUE SYSTEM, THEIR BELIEFS AND DESIRES AND FIND A BALANCE.

THE FIRST THING I THINK, THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS IS WE GO OUT MAKING PROMISES WHEN I RAN 14 YEARS AGO, I RAN ON A PLATFORM THAT I'M NOT GOING TO STAND HERE AND MAKE YOU A PROMISE OF WHAT I CAN, CANNOT OR WILL DO.

FIRST OF ALL, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT IN MONTGOMERY.

I OFTEN WOULD SAY IT IS LIKE OPEN HEART SURGERY.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND UNTIL YOU GET THERE.

THAT'S WHY YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE YOU DON'T LET THE PEOPLE DOWN AND THEY WILL RE-ELECT YOU AGAIN BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T MAKE FALSE PROMISES AND GIVE FALSE HOPE THAT YOU CAN'T KEEP.

WHAT YOU DO IS YOU TELL THE PEOPLE IF YOU ELECT ME I WILL WORK MY BEHIND OFF TO DO MY VERY BEST TO PUSH YOUR ISSUES AND CONCERNS, UNDERSTANDING THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY VOTE.

UNDERSTANDING I HAVE TO SECURE VOTES, BUT WHAT I WILL DO IS REPRESENT YOU AND NOT LET THE LEVEL OF REPRESENTATION LET YOU DOWN.

THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

I HAVE BEEN GOING OUT AND ABOUT TALKING TO PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO SHOW UP, NOT JUST ON ELECTION DAY.

THEY WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM.

THEY WANT SOMEONE THAT WILL STAND UP AND SAY, WELL, IT'S A TOUGH ISSUE, BUT THIS IS WHY I TOOK THAT VOTE.

AND EXPLAIN IT.

THEY MAY NOT LIKE IT BUT GUESS WHAT, THEY WILL RESPECT YOU FOR IT.

I HAVE DONE THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN, FOR 14 YEARS, FOUR TERMS IN THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH THAT.

>> THE OLD OVERPROMISING AND UNDER DELIVERING.

>> AND THE PEOPLE ARE SICK OF IT TO THE POINT -- THERE'S VOTER APATHY AND THEY DON'T HAVE A BELIEF ANY LONGER IN THE SYSTEM.

NOR DO THEY HAVE A BELIEF IN THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THOSE THEY VOTE ON.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHEN I LOOK AT WASHINGTON I SEE A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION, ESPECIALLY IN CONGRESS.

IT'S FLAWED AS AN INSTITUTION.

A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

YOU HAD THE SPEAKER FIASCO.

>> SHUT DOWN, AND SPEAKER ISSUE AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> IT IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL BODY OF GOVERNMENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THINK AND I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT BUT YOU ARE RUNNING.

DO YOU SEE IT AS A CHALLENGE THAT I WANT TO BE A PART OF FIXING -- >> I LOVE IT.

I LOVE BEING A VOICE FOR PEOPLE.

I LOVE TO TAKE ON THOSE TOUGH CHALLENGES.

I LOVE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE ISSUES, AGAIN, TO SERVE AS A VESSEL.

THAT VESSEL SIMPLY EXISTS BECAUSE IT IS A CONDUIT TO AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHOSE VOICES CANNOT BE AMPLIFIED.

I HAVE SAID IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

IN WASHINGTON, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE SPEAKER CHANGING OF THE GUARDS WITH THAT AND ONGOING BATTLE.

THEY JUST A MOMENT AGO ABRUPTLY HAD TO DISMISS AND ADJOURN FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

BUT THE THING IS WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING, AND AGAIN IT GOES BACK TO SOMETHING I SAID, THEY ARE SIMPLE.

THEY DON'T WANT ALL OF THIS BIG GOVERNMENT.

THEY DON'T WANT ALL OF THIS INFIGHTING.

THEY DON'T WANT IT NOR DO THEY NEED IT.

SO AS THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THEY ARE SIMPLY SAYING BUT WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ADDRESS MY ISSUE?

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHETHER THERE WILL BE CUTS OR WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY OR IF WE ARE GOING TO KEEP SOCIAL SECURITY?

THE PEOPLE AT HOME, IN MY DISTRICT OR AROUND HERE, EVEN MY MOM, FIRST THING SHE ASKED ME ABOUT WHEN THERE WAS SOME CONVERSATION GOING ON.

SHE SAID I HOPE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MESS WITH MY MONEY.

SHE'S RETIRED.

SHE'S DONE HER DUE.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT BE WORRIED EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR WHETHER OR NOT GOVERNMENT WILL SHUT DOWN.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THE UNITED STATES FUNCTIONING.

I KNOW WE HAVE ALL OF THESE ISSUES ABROAD AND FOREIGN ISSUES, BUT WE HAVE DOMESTIC CONCERN.

OUR VETERANS, AS I THINK OF THE BROADER THINGS IN GOVERNMENT, WHY SHOULD OUR VETERANS HAVE TO DRIVE MILES AND MILES AWAY TO GET VETERANS SERVICES?

THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

THERE SHOULD BE A REGIONAL OFFICE AND MORE THAN ONE IN EVERY COUNTY.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE THAN ONE LOCATION.

THEY HAVE STARTED TO DO IT IN BIRMINGHAM AND OTHER PLACES AND WE NEED TO DO IT IN MONTGOMERY AND THE BLACK BELT.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES.

TO GO BACK TO YOUR REQUEST, PEOPLE ARE SICK OF THAT.

UNTIL AGAIN IT BREAKS THE PUBLIC TRUST.

>> LOOK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

I GUESS WE WILL SEE YOU OUT THERE.

>> OH, WE WILL BE THERE.

TOGETHER WE CAN.

GIVAN FOR THE PEOPLE AND I ASK THE QUESTION AGAIN, WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE?

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> THE SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE HAS BEEN THE HEART OF THINK SPACE PROGRAM SINCE THE 1950S.

MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER WAS DESIGNATED A THE PROPULSION CENTER THAT WOULD LAUNCH NASA'S MISSIONS IN TO SPACE.

MARSHALL HELPED TO MAKE HISTORY IN 1961 WHEN ALLEN SHEPHERD WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN IN SPACE.

MARSHALL'S MAJOR TASK DURING THE '60S WITH I THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SATURN ROCKETS USED IN THE APOLLO MOON MISSIONS.

THEY AIMED TO FULFILL JOHN F. KENNEDY'S CHALLENGE TO NASA TO EXECUTE A MOON LANDING BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

SATURN FIRED ROCKETS LAUNCHED THEM INCLUDING THE FIRST MOON LANDING ON JULY 20, 1969.

MARSHALL DEVELOPED A PROPULSION FOR THE SPACE PROGRAM AND INTEGRAL TO THE SCIENCE AND LIFE SYSTEMS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND SPACE DEVELOPMENT.

>>> JOINING ME NEXT IS CAROLEEN DOBSON, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN THE 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES AND THERE IS QUITE A FEW FOR THIS BRAND NEW DISTRICT.

WE WILL GET TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT LED TO YOUR DECISION TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

>> I'M AN ATTORNEY AND WORK AT MAYNARD.

I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN OF 200 PEOPLE.

I GREW UP ON A FARM.

MY FAMILY RAISES CATTLE AND HAS FOR SEVERAL GENERATIONS.

MY PARENTS ARE STILL THERE.

EVEN THOUGH WE LIVE IN MONTGOMERY WE TRY TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS WE CAN IN MONROE COUNTY.

I WENT TO MONROE ACADEMY IN MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA.

I GOT INTO HARVARD AND WENT TO HARVARD FOR UNDERGRAD AND THEN BAYLOR LAW SCHOOL IN TEXAS AND PRACTICED THERE FOR A FEW YEARS AND MET MY HUSBAND THERE.

WHEN IT CAME TIME TO START A FAMILY I KNEW I WANTED TO BE BACK IN SOUTH ALABAMA AND RAISE MY KIDS WITH ALABAMA VALUES.

WE ARE HERE AND RAISING OUR KIDS HERE.

LIKE A LOT OF FAMILIES WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE OUR COUNTRY IS HEADED.

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY, NATIONAL SECURITY, THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE FROM HERE AND I WANT MY KIDS TO BE PROUD TO BE FROM HERE TOO AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES HERE AND BE ABLE TO SUCCEED HERE.

I SEE MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES VANISHING HERE AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

ONE OF THE BLESSINGS ABOUT GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN -- ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T REALIZE IT AT THE SAME WAS REALLY SEEING CIVIC INVOLVEMENT ON A FIRSTHAND BASIS.

TOWNS DON'T RUN THEMSELVES AND YOU SEE THAT WHEN YOU LIVE IN A TOWN OF LESS THAN 200 PEOPLE.

I SAW MY PARENTS AND SO MANY ADULTS WORK FULL-TIME JOBS AND THEN ALSO TEACH SUNDAY SCHOOL AND VOLUNTEER AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SO -- >> EVERYBODY HAS TO PITCH IN.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

YOU DON'T JUST SHOW UP FOR THINGS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THAT WAS REALLY THE MOTIVATION FOR MY RUNNING.

I COULD COMPLAIN AND BE FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED.

IF I WANTED TO SEE CHANGE, I NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION.

I ALSO HAVE TO GIVE A PLUG FOR MY EXPERIENCE AT ALABAMA GIRLS STATE.

ACTUALLY IN TROY AND MONTGOMERY MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.

FOR ALMOST -- I THINK 80 YEARS NOW, GIRLS STATE HAS BEEN INSTILLING NOT ONLY CIVIC PRIDE BUT CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR A LOT OF YOUNG WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE OF ALL POLITICAL PERSUASIONS.

SO THAT CERTAINLY WAS INSTILLED IN ME AT A YOUNG AGE AND THAT'S WHERE I FIRST ENCOUNTERED SENATOR KATIE BRITT AND WHAT A TREMENDOUS ROLE MODEL SHE WAS FOR ME THEN AND NOW AND SO MANY YOUNG WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE.

I AM BLESSED TO HAVE STRONG FEMALE LEADERSHIP LIKE HER AND YOUR FORMER BOSS, ROBY AND WOMEN THAT STOOD UP TO MAKE A SACRIFICE TO BE A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT.

I WANT TO FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY AND ALABAMA FAMILIES IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> ARE THERE ANY ISSUES, IN PARTICULAR, THAT YOU SEE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DIVE INTO IF ELECTED?

>> WHERE DO YOU START?

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW.

>> TOP THREE MAYBE.

>> NO.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE ECONOMY.

OBVIOUSLY THAT EXTENDS ALSO TO A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES, ALL INTERRELATED.

WE HAVE TO CUT SPENDING.

IN THE GROCERY STORE EVERY WEEK AND PRICES KEEP RISING UP AND RISING UP AND I SEE OTHER FOLKS IN THE GROCERY STORE.

WE'RE DEBATING ABOUT WHAT TO PUT BACK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO STAY WITHIN OUR BUDGET.

FOR TOO LONG, CONGRESS HAS NOT STAYED IN OUR BUDGET.

IF WE HAVE TO DO THAT, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO DO THAT, TOO.

WE HAVE TO CUT SPENDING AND DEREGULATE ALSO.

AS I SAID, I GREW UP ON A FARM, MY FAMILY FARMS AND THERE ARE SO MANY FARM, LAND AND TIMBER OWNERS IN THIS DISTRICT AND WE CAN'T HAVE WASHINGTON, D.C.

TELLING US WHAT TO DO WITH OUR MUD PUDDLES.

IF WE DEREGULATE THAT CUTS DOWN ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING NATURALLY AND THIRDLY WE HAVE TO BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT AGAIN.

NOT SOME BEING ENERGY INDEPENDENT GOING TO CUT DOWN ON THE COST OF WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE AND SHIP THINGS AND THEREFORE WHAT IT COSTS TO BUY THINGS, BUT WHEN WE ARE NOT ENERGY INDEPENDENT, WE'RE FUNDING THE BAD GUYS, RIGHT?

WE ARE GIVING MONEY TO VENEZUELA WHO IS SENDING FOLKS ACROSS MEXICO, ACROSS OUR POROUS BORDER AND GIVING MONEY TO COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHO ARE BREEDING TERRORISTS AS WE SPEAK.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF HAVING MORE MONEY IN OUR WALLETS BUT BEING MORE SECURITY FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT.

THE ECONOMY IS CERTAINLY UP THERE FOR ME.

AGAIN, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE CERTAINLY A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES WE NEED TO WORK ON.

>> APPRECIATE YOU DETAILING THAT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WASHINGTON, D.C., I MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FOR LONG TO SEE A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE THE TRAIN ON THE TRACKS AS FAR AS THE CR GOES TEMPORARILY BUT A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

YOU HAD THE SPEAKER FIASCO, IT IS NOT A HEALTHY INSTITUTION IT LOOKS LIKE.

SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT AND SEE, OH, MAN, I WANT TO STAY AS FAR AS AWAY AS POSSIBLE AND OTHERS SEE IT AS A CHALLENGE.

DOES THAT DESCRIBE YOU?

DO YOU SEE THE DYSFUNCTION AND SAY I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FOR A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS DISTRICT AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS.

THERE ARE SOME REAL STRUGGLES WE ARE FACING NOW.

I THINK WE NEED REAL PEOPLE TO FIX THOSE PROBLEMS.

TOO MANY FOLKS HAVE BEEN IN DC AND LIVING IN DC AND THE BELTWAY FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS AND AREN'T CONNECTED.

THEY DON'T HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

THEY ARE NOT RAISING THEIR KIDS HERE IN THE DISTRICT.

WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE CAREER POLITICIANS.

I'M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I'VE NEVER BEEN IN POLITICS.

AM I QUALIFIED, SURE I HAVE BEEN AN ATTORNEY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I'M A MOTHER, FARMER, LIVING IN THIS DISTRICT AND WHAT HAPPENS IN DC IMPACTS ME AND I REALIZE THAT.

I'M NOT BEHOLDEN TO ANY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS.

I'M NOT IN ANYONE'S POCKET.

ULTIMATELY, MY ALLEGIANCE IS TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

AND THAT IS MY GOAL OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT I'M COMMITTED TO SERVING THEM AND THAT IS MY SOLE PURPOSE IN DC IS TO MAKE LIFE BETTER AND TO FIGHT FOR ALABAMA FAMILIES.

>> WELL, THIS DISTRICT IS OBVIOUSLY CHANGED QUITE A BIT, RIGHT?

IT WAS REDRAWN BY THE COURTS TO NO LONGER INCLUDE -- IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO MOBILE AND THE AFFECT IS A MORE MODERATE DISTRICT, ARGUABLY LEADING DEMOCRATIC.

YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN.

ANY REPUBLICAN THAT IS NOMINATED IS GOING TO HAVE TO APPEAL TO MORE THAN JUST THE BASE.

IN THE OLD DISTRICT YOU HAD TO GET THE BASE OUT AND THAT WAS ENOUGH.

ARE YOU THE TYPE OF CANDIDATE THAT CAN DO THAT?

>> YES, I AM.

I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I'M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN.

I THINK FOR SO LONG WE HAVE ALLOWED OUR POLITICIANS TO POLITICIZE SO MANY ISSUES THAT REALLY AREN'T PARTISAN.

OUR KIDS' SAFETY, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, EVEN OUR BORDER.

WE SHOULD ALL WANT THOSE TO BE MORE SECURE.

WE SHOULD ALL WANT OUR KIDS TO BE SAFE.

I'M NOT PART OF SOME CAUCUS THAT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO MAKE OR TRY TO COME UP WITH COMPROMISES WITH OTHERS.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I'M A LIFE-LONG REPUBLICAN AND I BELIEVE A SOLUTION TO A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS IS LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, I HAVE SPENT MY CAREER AS A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY, AS A TRANSACTIONAL ATTORNEY ADVOCATING STRONGLY FOR MY CLIENTS AND TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE, TRYING TO GET A DEAL CLOSED.

THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT I RECOMMENDED A CLIENT WALK AWAY FROM A DEAL BECAUSE HIS OR HER INTEREST WEREN'T GOING TO BE PROTECTED ADEQUATELY BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I'M TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING AND THAT'S MY GOAL.

I'M SOLELY COMMITTED TO MEETING WITH AS MANY FOLKS AS I CAN TO LET THEM KNOW I'M COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS A BETTER DISTRICT FOR ALL OF US AND ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT GOOD LUCK ON THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES BUT APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE HAS BEEN THE HEART OF THE SPACE PROGRAM SINCE THE BEGINNINGS IN THE 1950S.

I WAS THE AGENCY'S PROPULSION CENTER DEVELOPING THE ROCKETS THAT WOULD LAUNCH ROCKETS IN TO SPACE.

MARSHALL HELPED TO MAKE HISTORY IN 1961 WHEN THE MERCURY RED STONE ROCKET POWERED HIM IN TO FLIGHT.

MARSHALL'S MAJOR TASK WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROCKETS USED IN THE MOON MISSIONS.

THEY AIMED TO FULFILL JOHN F. KENNEDY'S CHALLENGE TO EXECUTE A MOON LANDING BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

SATURN ROCKETS POWERED THE ROCKETS INCLUDING THE FIRST MOON LANDING ON JULY 20TH, 1969.

MARSHALL DEVELOPED A PROPULSION FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE SCIENCE AND LIFE SYSTEMS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND THE LEAD CENTER FOR THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> JOINING ME NEXT IS MARK PETTUS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE AND WE SPENT SOME TIME TOGETHER ADD.

>> I WAS HOPING BEFORE YOU GET STARTED THAT YOU COULD SHARE ABOUT HIGHLANDS COLLEGE AND WHAT ITS PURPOSE IS.

>> WE FOUNDED THE COLLEGE IN 2011, IT ON 280, GRANDVIEW LOCATION.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO HEAR PASTOR CHRIS' VISION FOR THE COLLEGE AND BEGIN TO FORM IT AND PUT TOGETHER.

FROM THE BEGINNING IT HAS BEEN A MINISTRY LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY, A UNIVERSITY BUILT TO TRAIN AND PLACE LEADERS IN TO VOCATIONAL MINISTRY.

HERE WE ARE 12 YEARS LATER AND SEVEN BACHELOR'S DEGREES AND HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS THAT COME THROUGH AND THOUSANDS HAVE GONE OUT AND BEEN PLACED INTO MINISTRY.

EXCITING WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

>> WOW.

>> WHERE'S YOUR CAMPUS?

>> IT IS ON BIRMINGHAM IN HIGHWAY 280 BY GRANDVIEW HOSPITAL.

>> I SEE.

ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW IS YOU HAVE THIS IMPACT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON DECEMBER 6TH.

INTERESTING LINEUP OF SPEAKERS AND EVERYTHING.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, TELL US ABOUT THE IMPACT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, WHY IT EXISTS AND WHAT ITS PURPOSE IS.

>> THE HEART OF THE COLLEGE IS REALLY RECOGNIZING THAT THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THE WORLD ARE ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERS TO STEP IN.

THE WAY WE SOLVE PROBLEMS IS WHEN A LEADER STEPS IN AND SOLVES THE PROBLEM.

EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING AS WE TRAIN OUR STUDENTS IS HELPING THEM PURSUE THEIR CALLING AND INSTILLING A LEADERSHIP MIND SET.

ANYTHING TO DO WITH LEADERSHIP WE ARE AUTOMATICALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO WE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADD ANOTHER LAYER TO THE COLLEGE WHICH IS TO DO OUR PART TO COME ALONGSIDE OTHER EVENTS AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO ADD VALUE TO LEADERS IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA AND NOW AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

THE HEART OF THE CONFERENCE IS BRINGING GREAT SPEAKERS AND LEADERS TO SPEAK TO THE AUDIENCE.

THIS YEAR, FOR INSTANCE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO LEAD IN TURBULENT TIMES.

TO SPEAK TO REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERS TO GROW AND HELP THEM ACHIEVE WHAT'S IN THEIR HEART.

>> THESE ARE TURBULENT TIMES.

I THINK WE CAN AGREE ON THAT.

YOU HAVE SOME PRETTY BIG NAMES LINED UP FOR THE CONFERENCE.

CAN YOU GO THROUGH THE LINEUP?

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.

EVERY YEAR WE HAVE HAD JOHN MAXWELL.

HE WILL BE BACK THIS YEAR AS WELL.

HE HAS WRITTEN DOZENS OF BEST-SELLING BOOKS.

>> ON LEADERSHIP.

>> HE IS THE LEADERSHIP GURU.

EXCITED TO HAVE HIM BACK.

OUR CHANCELLOR CHRIS HODGES WILL BE THERE AND HE BRINGS INCREDIBLE DONATE TO LEADERS AND AS GUESTS WE HAVE DAN CATHY FROM CHICK-FIL-A AND DORIS GOODWIN, A PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR AND SOMEONE WHO HAS WRITTEN BOOKS AROUND THE PRESIDENTIAL LEADERS AND HOW THEY HAVE IMPACTED THE WORLD.

>> "TEAM OF RIVA" IS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF HERS ON LINCOLN.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

SO, YEAH.

REALLY IMPRESSIVE LINEUP.

THIS IS GOING TO BE VIRTUAL, RIGHT?

IF I ATTENDED VIRTUALLY, WHAT WOULD I GET OUT OR OUR AUDIENCE, WHAT WOULD WE GET OUT OF ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE?

>> IT IS A FREE EVENT.

WE HAVE SEEN 10,000 PEOPLE JOIN US IN THE EVENT WHICH IS EXCITING AND WE ARE BELIEVING NO MATTER WHAT EVENT, THAT THEY WILL GET THE PRACTICAL NUGGETS AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO LEAD IN TURBULENT TIMES.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN THE WORLD AND WE ALL FEEL THAT AND HOPE LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGED.

I BELIEVE EVERY ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS WILL ADD VALUE AND PRACTICAL TIPS THAT WILL TURN INTO WAYS THAT LEADERS CAN STEP INTO THOSE AREAS OF LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVE WHAT THEIR VISION OR THEIR CALLING IS.

>> INTERESTING YOU SAID IT IS FREE BECAUSE I'M THINKING ABOUT EVENTS OF THIS TYPE, WHEN YOU HAVE BIG-NAME SPEAKER AND EVERYTHING, A LOT OF TIMES IT IS A FUNDRAISER OR TICKETED EVENT TO PAY FOR THE SPEAKERS, WHATEVER.

SO FREE, THAT'S INTERESTING.

HOW CAN YOU GO ABOUT THAT?

WHY DO YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO MAKE IT FREE?

YOU COULD PROBABLY GET PEOPLE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LAKE THIS.

>> THE EVENT ITSELF IS NOT FREE.

THERE IS A COST FOR THAT.

WE HAVE DOZENS OF COMMUNITY SPONSORS AND LEADERS IN BIRMINGHAM THAT SPONSOR THE EVENT SO WE CAN PROVIDE IT FOR FREE TO ATTENDEES.

I THINK FOR US IT IS A WAY WE SEE IT AS A GIFT, AS A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO GIVE BACK TO LEADERS EVERYWHERE.

SO, A GREAT GROUP OF VISIONARIES THAT SEE THE VALUE OF IT AND WE ARE PROVIDING IT TO LEADERS FOR FREE TO TAKE THE BARRIER OUT.

WE DIDN'T WANT COST TO BE A BARRIER.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS KIND OF EVENT WAS A PRETTY BIG DEAL AND RAISES THE PROFILE OF THE COLLEGE AND HELPS YOU TO GET THE MESSAGE ABOUT OUR MISSION, NOT JUST IN BIRMINGHAM BUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE NATION?

>> WE DO HOPE THAT, ABSOLUTELY.

OUR FIRST GOAL IS TO ADD VALUE BUT WE ARE EXCITED THAT THIS CONFERENCE MAY BE THE FIRST TIME THAT SOMEONE WOULD EVEN HEAR OF HIGHLANDS COLLEGE.

WE ARE NEW, ONLY 12 YEARS OLD.

IN BIRMINGHAM AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIGHLANDS COLLEGE.

WE HOPE THIS EVENT INTRODUCES THEM TO THE COLLEGE AND THEY TAKE A STEP FURTHER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

>> HOW DO WE PARTICIPATE?

YOU MENTIONED THERE'S AN ONLINE ACCESS.

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT SIGNING UP.

>> IMPACTLEADER.COM, EASY PROCESS TO SIGN UP AND BECAUSE IT'S VIRTUAL PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP.

IT IS AN EVENT THAT WILL START IN THE MORNING AND GO UNTIL THE AFTERNOON.

SIX OR SEVEN HOURS OF CONTENT, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

A LOT OF BUSINESSES THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE SAID, OKAY, TODAY THAT IS A LEADERSHIP DAY.

AND THEY ALLOW THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TEAM TO GATHER AROUND THE COMPUTER AND EXPERIENCE IT TOGETHER.

>> CERTAINLY, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS FREE.

HEARING FROM REALLY RENOWNED VOICES, NOT JUST ON LEADERSHIP BUT HISTORY AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE HAD IN YEARS PAST, THE BUSINESS LEADERS AND PEOPLE FROM THE EDUCATION SECTOR, HEALTHCARE, REALLY EVERY INDUSTRY WE HAVE SEEN THIS CONTENT ADD VALUE TO THEM AND WE'RE EXCITED.

IF YOU ARE OUT THERE, SPREAD THE WORD, I WOULD SAY THAT AS WELL FOR ANYONE WATCHING THIS.

>> WE WILL SHARE THE INFORMATION.

THE LAST THING IS HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT HIGHLANDS COLLEGE.

>> IT IS HIGHLANDSCOLLEGE.EDU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THIS, COME AND VISIT CAMPUS AND SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

MANY PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR LOCATION.

IT IS THE FORMER HEADQUARTERS OF HEALTH SOUTH.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> WE RENOVATED THE BUILDING.

IT IS EXCITED FOR MANY PEOPLE TO COME AND SEE WHAT'S IT HAS BECOME AND WE HAVE A LOT OF VISION, NOT JUST FOR NOW BUT INTO THE FUTURE AND WE LOVE TO SHARE THAT STORY WITH PEOPLE.

>> I'LL COME AND SEE YOU.

WE WILL TALK MORE UP THERE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE EVENT.

I WILL CERTAINLY BE ATTENDING.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE, TODD, THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT IS STEVE DUER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AGAPE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT AGAPE AND ITS MISSION.

>> IT IS A CHRISTIAN FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION AGENCY BASED IN MONTGOMERY WITH OFFICES IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH ALABAMA.

OUR MISSION AS AN AGENCY IS MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST VULNERABLE CHILDREN WILL FIND PERMANENCY IN SAFE, NURTURING FAMILIES.

SO, WE PROVIDE FOSTER CARE SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND MATERNITY WORK WITH MOMS EXPERIENCING A CRISIS PREGNANT AND THEN WORK WITH FAMILIES WHO WORK ALONGSIDE OF US TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR THE CHILDREN WHO THE MOMS DECIDE NEED AN ADOPTION PLAN.

>> I SEE.

I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES PARENTS SEEKING -- FAMILIES SEEKING TO ADOPT WILL FACE A LOT OF CHALLENGES, A LOT OF BARRIERS.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS AN AGENCY WHEN FAMILIES RUN IN TO BARRIERS TRYING TO ADOPT?

>> ONE OF MY STAFF SAYS IT REALLY WELL.

ADOPTION IS BEAUTIFUL BUT IT IS ALSO A BIT BRUTAL.

SO SHE CALLS IT BRUTIFUL.

FOR THE BIRTH MOTHER EVERYONE CAN IDENTIFY THE CHALLENGES FOR HER.

SHE IS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CHOICE NOT TO RAISE A CHILD AND GIVE A CHILD A LIFE THAT MAYBE SHE WANTS SOMETHING BETTER FOR THE CHILD.

FOR THE FAMILY, THEY HAVE USUALLY GONE THROUGH SIGNIFICANT LOSSES THEMSELVES, MAYBE INFERTILITY, MULTIPLE MISCARRIAGES.

AND THEY ARE IN A VULNERABLE PLACE, AS WELL.

AND THEN THE CHALLENGE THAT COMES IS THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE BUT YOU DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHO TO TRUST.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES -- IN FACT, THERE'S SOME FEDERAL LEGISLATION PENDING NOW TO CREATE A LIST OF AGENCIES THAT ARE LICENSED BY STATE SO THE FAMILY CAN KNOW.

ALSO ENFORCE WHAT IS ALREADY ENFORCED WHICH IS -- ENACTED ANYWAY, IN ALABAMA, YOU CAN NOT ADVERTISE FOR ADOPTION UNLESS YOU ARE A LICENSED CHILD PLACING AGENCY.

>> YOU WOULD FIGURE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE ALREADY.

>> IT IS IN PLACE BUT SINCE THE INTENT HAS COMING INTO BEING IT IS HARDER TO ENFORCE.

YESTERDAY I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH.

AND OF THE SPONSORED ADS THAT CAME UP FOR GIVING MY BABY UP FOR ADOPTION, FOUR WERE OUT-OF-STATE AGENCIES AND ONE WAS A COUPLE FROM NEW YORK CITY WAS TRYING ADVERTISE FOR A BIRTH MOM TO DO A PRIVATE ADOPTION DIRECTLY.

YOU CAN IMAGINE IF YOU ARE A FAMILY OR A BIRTH MOM, EITHER ONE DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, FINDING HELP THAT IS LOCAL, THAT HAS EXPERTISE WITH THE LOCAL SYSTEM MIGHT BE CHALLENGING UNLESS THOSE AGENCIES ARE PAYING SIGNIFICANT AD REVENUE TO GET THEIR ADS PLACED HIGH ENOUGH.

>> I CAN SEE THAT LEADING TO SOME SCARY OUTCOMES.

>> RIGHT.

AND THERE ARE SOME BAD ACTORS IN ADOPTION.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THIS FEDERAL LEGISLATION IS HOPING TO ACHIEVE.

IT IS CALLED THE ADOPT ACT.

IT HAS BEEN SPONSORED IN THE HOUSE.

I KNOW WE HAVE ALREADY HAD CONVERSATION WITH A COUPLE OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS TO TRY TO GET SOME MORE MOVEMENT BEHIND THIS FROM AN ALABAMA PERSPECTIVE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO CALL THEMSELVES FACILITATORS, WHO SAID THEY WILL HELP FIND THE MOTHER FOR YOU.

AND MADE MAJOR PROMISES FOR THE MOTHER AND TIME PROMISES FOR THE FAMILY AND WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW IS THE MOTHER MAY NOT BE BEING CARED FOR WELL.

>> I SEE.

>> AND THEY VIEW THE CHILD AS A COMMODITY, NOT AS A PRECIOUS SOUL THAT NEEDS GOOD OUTCOMES FOR THE BIRTH MOTHER AND THE CHILD.

>> WELL, YOU TALK ABOUT FEDERAL LEGISLATION.

THERE WAS LEGISLATION HERE IN THE STATE LAST YEAR, LAST SESSION THAT SOUGHT TO -- THEY CALLED IT STREAMLINING THE ADOPTION PROCESS AND CLEANING UP ALABAMA'S LAW.

I GUESS IT GOES INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN IN THAT LAW FROM AN AGENCY'S PERSPECTIVE?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PIECES THAT ARE PART OF THAT LEGISLATION.

I'M APPRECIATIVE OF CLEANING UP THE LANGUAGE OF HOW LONG A MOM HAS TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.

THIS IS A BIG DECISION FOR A MOM.

WHEN SHE IS MAKING THE DECISION SHE NEEDS CLEAR BOUNDARIES OF OKAY, HERE'S YOUR TIME FRAME THAT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND AND FOR WHAT REASONS.

THE FAMILY NEEDS THEIR PEACE OF MIND IN KNOWING, OKAY, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN THIS LIMBO FEELING AND THE FORMER LAW WAS FIVE DAYS FOR ANY REASON THE MOM COULD CHANGE HER MIND AND NINE DAYS GOING TO COURT.

SO 14 DAYS TOTAL.

THE NEW LAW IS FIVE BUSINESS DAYS, WHICH MAYBE LONGER THAN FIVE DAYS DEPENDING ON HOW WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS MAY FALL BUT MUCH CLEARER AND EASIER WAY FOR MOM TO NOTIFY THE COURT SHE IS CHANGING HER MIND AND MAKE THE NOTIFICATION EASIER.

>> WE HAD A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DOBBS DECISION LAST YEAR.

THIS IS OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE AND IN MANY STATES, INCLUDING ALABAMA, ABORTION LAWS GOT STRICTER.

OURS WAS PASSED YEARS AGO AND WENT INTO EFFECT ESSENTIALLY BANNING ALL ABORTIONS WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS.

THERE'S BEEN SOME ANTIDOTES OUT THERE, NOT SOLID STATISTICS THAT THAT WOULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WOMEN SEEKING ADOPTION AS AN OPTION.

BUT WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN, FROM AN AGENCY'S PERSPECTIVE, HAS IT INCREASED?

>> WHAT'S INCREASED IS THE NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND IN CRISIS ARE CONTACTING US.

>> OKAY.

>> THE PERCENTAGE OF MOMS MAKING ADOPTION PLANS HASN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH BUT MORE WOMEN ARE SEEKING HELP.

>> I SEE.

>> WE JUST FINISHED OUR FISCAL YEAR SEPTEMBER 30TH.

THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR WE SERVED 36 MOTHERS.

THIS FISCAL YEAR WE SERVED 65 EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND WE ARE STARTING OUR NEW FISCAL YEAR WITH 23 MOMS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PREGNANT.

SO WE WILL SEE ANOTHER INCREASE THIS YEAR.

WE ARE AVERAGING AROUND 30 EXPECTANT MOMS PER QUARTER SERVED RIGHT NOW.

>> OKAY.

>> AND WE WERE DOWN IN THE 10 TO 15 RANGE PRIOR TO THIS PER QUARTER.

>> IF I'M READING BETWEEN THE LINES THERE, NOT ALL OF THOSE END UP BEING ADOPTIONS, DOES THAT MEAN SOME CHOOSE TO RAISE THE CHILD THEMSELVES?

>> WITH AGAPE, OUR MINISTRY'S MISSION IS VULNERABLE CHILDREN WILL HAVE PERMANENT AND SAFE NURTURING FAMILIES.

IF MOM WANTS AND HAS THE ABILITY TO PARENT WE WILL SUPPORT HER CHOICE AND HELP TO SET THAT CHILD UP FOR SUCCESS SO HOPEFULLY THEY NEVER ENTER THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND HAS PERMANENCY.

OUR NUMBERS HAVE BEEN 80 TO 85% OF MOMS CONTINUE TO PARENT EITHER WITH FAMILY SUPPORT OR ON THEIR OWN THAT WE WORK.

WE SEEN THE PERCENTAGE STAY ABOUT THE SAME IN THE NEW ERA.

THE ISSUE WE HAVE SEEN THAT'S REALLY BEEN DIFFERENT IS OUR AVERAGE AGE OF MOM IS THE SAME, 27, 26 1/2 RANGE BUT THE AGE RANGE INCREASED.

WE ARE SEEING YOUNGER AND OLDER MOMS.

WE HAVE SEEN MOMS AS OLD AS 41, 42 RANGE THAT WE WORKED WITH RECENTLY.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE SEEN MORE MOMS COMING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS, WHICH CREATES THE NEED TO FIND SAFETY BEFORE WE CAN EVEN TALK ABOUT THE BEST PLAN FOR THE CHILD.

WE PARTNER WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO HELP FIND THOSE SAFE PLACES AND THOSE RESOURCES.

>> WELL, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS, IT JUST SUCH AN EMOTIONAL, SUCH A DELICATE ISSUE.

SO IT MUST TAKE VERY TRAINED AND REALLY SPECIAL INDIVIDUALS TO WORK IN THIS.

TALK ABOUT YOUR TEAM AND THE PROFESSIONALS THAT WORK -- I'M JUST THINKING, MAN, THAT HAS TO BE A LOT TO TAKE ON EMOTIONALLY.

>> CLEARLY.

YOU DON'T GO INTO CHILD WELFARE WORK BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GET RICH IN CHILD WELFARE WORK BUT BECAUSE IT IS A CALLING, A PASSION, OUR ADOPTION TEAM IS EXTREMELY STRONG.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS, WHO WORK WITH OUR EXPECTANT MOMS, THEY ADVOCATE FOR THEIR MOMS.

WE HAVE A SEPARATE UNIT THAT WORKS FOR ADOPTED FAMILIES BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PULLED BY THE BIAS OF ONE OF OUR WORKERS.

WHEN WE HAVE A PLACEMENT AT THE HOSPITAL, THERE IS A WORKER FOR THE MOM AND THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY AND THEY ARE WORKING FOR THE INTEREST OF EACH OF THEM AT THAT TIME.

WE VIEW OUR FAMILIES AS MINISTRY PARTNERS.

OUR ADOPTION SUPERVISOR IS AN ADULT ADOPTEE HERSELF.

SHE'S LIVED IT HERSELF AND KNOWS THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE HARD OF ADOPTION AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT A FAMILY IN THAT WAY.

>> POWERFUL.

>> FOR ANY VIEWERS WHO MAY KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD BE A CANDIDATE FOR ADOPTION, WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE FOR THEM?

>> THE FIRST THING THAT YOU ALWAYS SAY, EITHER FROM THE MOM OR THE FAMILY'S SIDE IS KNOW WHO YOU ARE WORKING.

ASK FOR REFERENCES FROM OTHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THEM TO SEE IF THINGS WENT SMOOTHLY.

ANY REPUTABLE AGENCY SHOULD GIVE YOU A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT THE COST IS INVOLVED.

THAT'S OFTENTIMES ONE OF THE BARRIERS FAMILIES RUN INTO.

THERE'S SOME AMAZING RESOURCES OUT THERE NOW TO HELP FAMILIES.

WE ACTUALLY PROVIDE A SERVICE TO FAMILIES THAT'S CALLED MY ADOPTION FINANCE COACH THAT HELPS FAMILIES FIND GRANTS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS THAT OFFSET THE COST THAT COME WITH ADOPTION.

>> POWERFUL STUFF.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANKS TO YOUR TEAM, AS WELL AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> ROSA PARKS IS ONE OF THE MOST ENDURING SYMBOLS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS ERA OF THE MID 20TH CENTURY.

SHE WAS ACTIVE IN THE MONTGOMERY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP.

SERVING AS THE FIELD SECRETARY.

ALTHOUGH SHE WAS NOT THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN IN MONTGOMERY TO BE ARRESTED FOR DOING SO, HER 1955 ARREST FOR VIOLATING THE SEGREGATION ORDINANCE BY REFUSING TO GIVE UP HER BUS SEAT TO A WHITE MAN TRIGGERED A 382-DAY BOYCOTT OF MONTGOMERY CITY BUSES AND PROMPTED A CHALLENGE OF THE ORDINANCE'S CONSTITUTIONALITY IN FEDERAL COURT.

IN DECEMBER 1956, AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AFFIRMED A DISTRICT COURT RULING AGAINST SEGREGATION, PARKS TOOK A SYMBOLIC VICTORY RIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF A CITY BUS.

PARKS CONTINUED TO WORK FOR CIVIL RIGHTS CAUSES THROUGHOUT HER LIFE AND WAS AWARDED THE NATION'S HIGHEST HONORS FOR HER ROLE IN THE MOVEMENT.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'D LIKE TO AGAIN THANK THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND IN PARTICULAR SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM GREG REED'S OFFICE FOR ALLOWING US TO USE THEIR PRESS BRIEFING ROOM WHILE OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO UNDERGOES AND TECHNICAL UPGRADE.

THERE WILL BE NO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" NEXT WEEK AS WE OBSERVE THANKSGIVING, BUT WE'LL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.