Riley makes call for prayer soldiers
03/09/03
By BILL BARROW
Capital Bureau
HOOVER, Ala. -- Republican Gov. Bob Riley asked 700 Alabamians on Saturday to enlist as prayer soldiers on two war fronts: one in Iraq, the other right here at home.
"There is another war that is going on in this country," Riley said in his keynote address at the Christian Coalition of Alabama's 2003 Friends of the Family Celebration. "This one is far more insidious. It's one that you just can't go and attack. It's a war for the absolute soul of this country.
"God looked down on this country because this country was founded on the rock -- and that rock was our lord and savior Jesus Christ," Riley said. "And when the storms came and the rains came, the rock, it did not move. But over the last 15 or 20 years, something began to erode.
"If we are going to save this country, if we are going to re-establish that belief in God, it's up to us," Riley concluded to enthusiastic applause. "If we don't do it, who will?"
The speech highlighted an evening of religious and patriotic pageantry at the Wynfrey Hotel, complete with a pre-dinner reception, music and individual introductions of head table guests.
The gala is an annual event, during which the Christian Coalition presents its "Friend of the Family" awards to federal lawmakers whose voting records are 100 percent in line with the group's agenda, including opposition to abortion and gambling.
In his address, the governor also implored those gathered to pray daily for President Bush, especially as the country heads toward war with Iraq. Riley said he visited Bush two weeks ago in Washington.
"The president told me, 'I know I am doing what is right for this country,'" Riley said. "And, ladies and gentlemen, I believe he is right in the mission he is trying to achieve. ... The first thing you should say every morning is, 'Thank God George Bush is our president.'"
If war in Iraq becomes a reality, Riley said, American troops would not be fighting for oil or out of imperial conquest, but "for our right to worship as we see fit."
The speech concluded a week during which the Riley administration's weekly Bible studies -- one for Cabinet officers, one for gubernatorial staff -- drew national attention. The sessions are held outside business hours.
Toby Roth, Riley's chief of staff, appeared Wednesday on an MSNBC cable news show to debate Larry Darby, an activist atheist, about the appropriateness of the study groups.
"I'm going to continue to worship as I see fit whether Mr. Darby likes it or not," Riley roared Saturday.
First lady Patsy Riley, who introduced her husband, asked attendees to pray that Darby "sees our Lord Jesus."
The Rileys and Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore headed the guest list for what amounted to a Who's Who of Alabama politics. Both drew standing ovations upon their introductions.
Moore is known as the "Ten Commandments Judge" for his public displays of the Judeo-Christian laws, first in his Etowah County Circuit Court chambers and now in the Alabama Judicial Building rotunda.
In addition to the Rileys and Moore, the head table included 22 other Alabama officeholders -- 19 Republicans, three Democrats.
Among them: U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, and Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile; and U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, Spencer Bachus, R-Vestavia Hills, Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, and Mike Rogers, R-Anniston; and nine other members of the state judiciary.
Rep. Terry Everett, R-Enterprise, was the only GOP member of the congressional delegation not present. Organizers said Everett and the state's top Democrats, Lt. Gov Lucy Baxley and House Speaker Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia, had scheduling conflicts.
Riley, Shelby, Sessions, Aderholt, Bachus, Everett and former U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan, R-Mobile, who did not attend, received "Friend of the Family" awards.
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