New Members Inducted In Alabama Academy Of Honor, Apple CEO Challenges State To Improve LGBT Rights
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There are now eight new members of the Alabama Academy of Honor. The organization is one of the most prestigious in the state.
The eight inductees were honored at the Alabama Statehouse, a huge deal since only 100 living Alabamians can become a part of the Academy of Honor. They come from a number of different backgrounds — from businessmen to coaches.
Apple CEO and Auburn alumni, Tim Cook; U.S. Senator, Jeff Session; and Crimson Tide head coach, Nick Saban, are just a few of the new members of the Alabama Academy of Honor, an elite group of people being recognized for their accomplishments and their services.
“We try to teach our players that you know, leadership is setting a good example, but it’s also affecting other people and one of the best ways to actually influence other people is to help them,” Said Coach Saban.
There were also those honored in the private sector including HudsonAlpha co-founder, Jim Hudson; civic leader, Margaret Porter; business executive, Edgar Welden; and Big Oak Ranch Founder, John Croyle.
Croyle says Big Oak Ranch helps give abused and orphaned children a chance for a normal life.
“Just to be able to have a chance to have this platform if you will to make a difference in just one child’s life, or one adult’s life… that’s a good day,” Said Croyle.
Cook made several remarks on behalf of the incoming class. He says while receiving the award is humbling, there’s still much more to do to improve the community. It’s just one reason he says Apple will donate $100 million to 114 schools across the country. Five of those are in Alabama.
“We’re going to send our education team to help them create new ways of learning. Our retail teams to bring them popular coding cams. And we’re going to leverage some of the world’s best minds from Apple University to create new courses,” Said Cook.
One of the things he criticized was the state’s slow process towards civil rights. Cook says the state continues to struggle.
“Too slow on equality for African Americans, too slow on interracial marriage which was only legalized 14 years ago. And still too slow on equality for the LGBT community. Under the law, citizens of Alabama can still be fired based on their sexual orientation,” Said Cook.
Meanwhile, Governor Bentley was feet away as Cook made those remarks — comments that now has a lot of people talking. Hear what people are saying tonight at 10 p.m. on Alabama News Network.
Separately, this is the largest group of inductees to ever enter the Alabama Academy of Honor. The Academy was created by state lawmakers in 1965.
