Eagle Forum of Alabama HIGHLIGHTS 2024 (c3 & c4)
INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES
SOVEREIGNTY COALITION: EFA received international acclaim from leaders for securing over 50 signatures from Alabama legislators and officials, demanding that the World Health Organization respect the Rule of Law. This official document, signed by representatives from 37 countries, was hand-delivered to WHO Director Tedros on May 26, just before the World Health Assembly convened in Geneva, Switzerland. This action ultimately thwarted the Assembly’s plan to override national sovereignty.
STATEWIDE IMPACT
MARIJUANA: Since the 2021 legalization of marijuana in Alabama, Eagle Forum has been leading efforts to educate the public, legislators, and policymakers about the dangers of marijuana normalization and commercialization, as well as the law’s inherent flaws. After a presentation by Eagle Forum Health Policy Advisor Christine Carr to the Alabama Board of Medical Advisors, new rules were proposed and codified, effective June 14, 2024. These rules provide unprecedented protections for both babies and adult patients. They are unmatched by any state or national government worldwide.
AL POLICY CONFERENCE: Hosted a 1-day sold-out policy conference. Brought in experts from across the nation to educate our members and legislators about important topics like gambling, universal school choice, national security, social emotional learning and more. This conference increased citizen involvement during the legislative session.
EFA ACTION GROUPS: The number of Eagle Forum Action Groups grew by 40% in 2024! These groups, located all across the state, typically meet monthly to help citizens stay up to date on issues (global, national, state, and local levels) which affect the family and freedom. Our dedicated leaders attend our weekly Leader Zoom Calls to help fortify their relationships with other leaders but also to hear from policy gurus to ensure they are prepared to advocate for the latest issues.
EAGLE COUNCIL 2023 & 2024: Alabama brought more members to both events than any other state! EFA was instrumental in mentoring other state leaders on how to build their organizations. We traveled to Washington DC (Fall 2023) to meet with our AL Congressional delegation and attend Eagle Council 2023 and to St. Louis (Fall 2024) policy conferences which equipped us with cutting-edge policy information to educate Alabamians.
LEGISLATURE 101: Hosted a Legislature 101 program for Alabama Homeschoolers and their parents at the State House. This program focuses on how the Alabama legislature functions and how a bill becomes a law.
SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE OF STUDY: We provided an Eagle Forum endorsed model course of study which the Alabama State Department of Education gave to each Committee member to inform the Alabama document. It sets forth standards to direct teaching of history, economics, psychology and arts education for the next 6 years. We solicited expert reviews and provided our own review to improve the document before it was finalized by the State Board of Education.
STUDENT EAGLES
NEW GROUPS AND NATIONAL CONFERENCE: This year, we established new Student Eagle groups from Mobile to North Alabama, providing education on citizenship and making a positive impact on local communities. Our Cullman student group organized a community 5K fun run, raising over $7,000 for First Source Pregnancy Resource Center! We had great attendance from Alabama Student Eagles at the 4th annual National Student Eagle Conference, where our Executive Director was a guest speaker.
LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES
YOUR VOICE AT THE STATE HOUSE: Throughout the 2024 legislative session, we were present at the State House every day, working tirelessly with legislators to protect your values. Eagle Forum testified at numerous committee meetings in both the House and Senate. We also initiated and participated in press conferences to ensure that our priorities were covered by the media. Your voice was heard, and your values were defended.
STOPPED THE EXPANSION OF GAMBLING: Eagle Forum played a crucial role in defeating the 2024 gambling expansion bills. Throughout the session, we collaborated daily with a coalition of like-minded organizations to ensure legislators heard from their constituents about the dangers of gambling. Eagle Forum worked tirelessly to raise funds for radio and print ads and to place billboards across the state, educating the public and legislators about gambling. Our online smart link system enabled constituents to send over 5,000 personalized messages to legislators, encouraging “NO” votes. Thankfully, gambling was defeated by one vote on the last day of the session.
DEI DEFUNDED: We worked hard the first two months of the session, testifying during multiple committee meetings, creating 1-pagers and lobbying legislators to pass SB129 which would defund Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and departments from state colleges/universities and government agencies. It passed on March 20 and went into effect on Oct.1st.
OTHER INITIATIVES
SCREENING OF LETTER TO THE AMERICAN CHURCH: During the month of August, EF Action Groups joined with TP USA Faith to host multiple screenings across the state of Eric Metaxas’ movie, Letter To The American Church. The movie encourages Christians to stand strong in Biblical faith and engage in the culture and political war that is ravaging our country. These Pastors’ Roundtables have multiplied and many have shown the movie to their congregations!
VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES: EFA has prepared non-partisan voter registration packets for church members so they can easily host a voter registration drive at their church. Packets have been used across the state at multiple churches.
RESTORING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: In light of the 2022 Kennedy v Bremerton Supreme Court ruling, which overturned the 50-year-old Lemon test and restored the free exercise of religion, Eagle Forum formed a coalition to promote the restoration of public displays of the Ten Commandments in the buildings of all 3 branches of Government in Alabama. They are the recognized basis for the rule of law in Western Civilization.
STATE LIBRARY POLICY: EF encouraged citizens to speak at Library Guideline Day when we hand-delivered approximately 2000 letters collected from our online Voter Voice program, Trussville area churches, and Eagle Forum action groups. These letters helped bring the new policies that will better protect children from obscene materials.
