Alabama Academy of Honor

The Alabama Academy of Honor recognizes one hundred living Alabamians for outstanding accomplishments and services to Alabama and the United States.[1] By act of the Alabama Legislature,[2] only one hundred living people may be members at any time. Up to ten additional members per year are elected by current members when honorees pass away,[3] by majority vote in order of highest vote total. Any Alabama citizen or Academy member may nominate people for election. Living present and past governors of Alabama are automatically members of the Academy and do not count against the 100-person maximum. At any time, no more than twenty-five percent of the Academy's members may be politicians.[4]

Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black was the only person to ever decline membership in the Academy, after a vow to refuse all honors.[1]

  1. ^ a b Coley, C. J. (Spring 1976). "History of the Alabama Academy of Honor". Alabama Historical Quarterly. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2015. .
  2. ^ Alabama Code Title 41, Chapter. Alabama Academy of Honor.
  3. ^ 2007 Congressional Record, Vol. 153, Page E23985 (September 7, 2007)
  4. ^ "Alabama Academy of Honor". Alabama Department of Archives and History. February 24, 2012. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.