By Julia Stuckey
TomorrowTODAY Staff Writer
Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker speaks during opening ceremonies.
Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker attended the opening ceremony of the 71st YMCA Youth Legislature Friday, Feb. 22, and spoke briefly before swearing the youth delegates into office. In high school, Parker participated in Youth Legislature for three years, which he said “prepared him for a life involved with public policy and in government.” Fifty years ago, he served as the Speaker of the House at the 21st YMCA Youth Legislature.
Parker went on to co-found the Alabama Policy Institute with U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer. In his remarks, Parker stressed the importance of the relationships made during this weekend. “Many people that I met for the first time at YMCA Youth Legislature have risen to very important places in our society,” he said. They work in government, business and charitable work, he added. As Parker put it, these people you meet at Youth Legislature will be “treasures” for you in the future.