MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Gov. Kay Ivey welcomed well over 100 attendees to the Alabama State Capitol Monday to induct three new members to the Alabama Academy of Honor.
The new inductees are: Charles Barkley, the former NBA MVP and Olympic gold medal winner; Champ Lyons Jr., former justice on the Alabama Supreme Court; and Jimmy Rane, founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving and the single-wealthiest person in Alabama.
“This year’s inductees come from all walks of life and each has left a positive impact upon Alabama that will endure well beyond their lifetimes,” Ivey said, standing in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol.
“Among serious sports fans, Charles Barkley is a household name across the nation for his stellar achievements in college and professional basketball. He has also made his mark as a successful entrepreneur, broadcaster and philanthropist.”
With a 100-person maximum, the Alabama Academy of Honor is a statewide honorary society made up of living Alabamians recognized for their accomplishments and service to the state. When at its limit of 100 members, new inductions occur after existing members pass away.
While Barkley could not attend the event in person, Montal Morton, president of Redmont Distilling Company, of which Barkley is a majority owner, accepted the award on his behalf.
Taking the podium and being handed a large plaque, Morton spoke highly of Barkely’s love for his home state.
“As an Alabama native, Charles is passionate about Alabama; he lives it, he talks it,” Morton later told Alabama Daily News.
“If you meet him anywhere in the world, first thing he’ll say is ‘I’m from Leeds, Alabama.’ But he puts his money where his mouth is; he’s given to (historically Black colleges and universities), Wounded Warriors, (and) Redmont Vodka is his baby.”
Barkley’s philanthropy has often benefited his home state of Alabama, with a recent instance being his partnership with the Alabama Community College System, where he will help lead a marketing campaign, free of charge, for the ACCS.
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby gave the event’s main address and championed the progress Alabama has seen over the years.
“This is a great state, everybody here cares about this state, cares about the people, cares about the future of this state,” Shelby said.
“We’ve had our challenges, we’ve had our differences, and we’ve got challenges today, but Alabama is on fire in a lot of ways; Governor, you’re responsible for a lot of that, you’ve gone around and told people that Alabama’s open for business. We’ve got some challenges still, but we can make it if we work together.”
Lyons spoke to his storied history in the Old House Chamber, a history that went back multiple administrations. He also lent into his faith as giving him the fortune to have led the life he did, which included a number of high positions in the judicial branch.
“Being in this chamber brings back memories; I can remember being seated up there when I was Gov. (Fob) James’ legal advisor watching him deliver a state of the state address,” Lyons said. “At this point in my life, I am pushing 84. I look back on a series of events, doors opening, doors closing, leaving me in places where things would happen that wouldn’t have happened but for people that I would run into, some by arrangements, some otherwise. I have been blessed, and for that, I thank the good lord.”
When requested at the podium, Rane said it was “humbling” to be in the Old House Chamber, and reflected on his long journey from first managing the then-small, nearly bankrupt lumber treatment plant passed down to him by his in-laws in 1970, to the industry-leading titan the company has become today.
“I think about me being here today, the grandson of a Sicilian immigrant, I think about what Mark Twain said one time,” Rane said. “He said to be successful in this life, it just takes ignorance and confidence, and I’m grateful that I pursued both of those long enough to be recognized here today.”
Established in 1965, the Alabama Honor Society has had more than 260 members since its inception, among which are politicians, civil rights leaders and titans of industry.
“These people have helped make Alabama what it is today,” remarked Michael Warren Jr., the chair of the Alabama Honor Society, reflecting on the society’s past members, including Rosa Parks and John Lewis.