PHOTO: Senator Phil Williams represents District 10 in the Alabama State Senate, which is comprised of all or parts of Etowah, Cherokee, St. Clair, and DeKalb counties. (Contributed Photo from the Alabama Senate)

By Staff Reports

RAINBOW CITY, Ala. – District 10 Senator Phil Williams, which represents part of DeKalb County announced earlier today that his plans do not include a third term for the State Senate and issued the following personal statement:

[blockquote style="1"]“For the past seven years, one of the highest honors of my life has been to serve the people of this State, and especially my District, in the Alabama Senate. My entire adult life has been devoted to service: whether in ministry, the military, or as an elected official, I have sought the means to serve others. No one owns the position of State Senator; elected office is a calling to serve and not an identity to cling to. My wife, Charlene, and I have been praying for some time about what our next steps should be. One thing we have definitely come to is that it is time to let this position be taken on by another individual, one who will hopefully be of the same mind and views. It is important that I make this decision known now so that another qualified individual will have the opportunity to engage in the full season of campaigning."[/blockquote]

[blockquote style="1"]“I cannot help but look back at the past seven years with a sense of awe. In that short span of time I have joined with my colleagues, oftentimes across the aisle, to reduce unemployment, pass balanced budgets, promote the sanctity of life, push for tougher ethics laws, reduce legislative pay, streamline state government, and fight for our rights as citizens of a constitutional republic. State government is an arena that has at times been both exhausting and rewarding, but in retrospect I would not trade a minute of it.[/blockquote]

[blockquote style="1"]“I foresee continued service. There are things that I want to commit my time to with my family, church, and law practice. I hope to be an asset to my local and state Republican Party organizations, and assist in growing the gains that we have made since 2010. I will not rule out serving in another elected office if that calling is determined. But for now, I will finish this term with the utmost confidence that much of what I ran on as a platform, as principles, has been accomplished, and I trust that it will be continued.”[/blockquote]

In the past seven years, Senator Williams has authored and sponsored numerous pieces of substantive legislation that have been enacted into law. Among them are:

-          Multiple pro-life bills.

-          Business incentive and economic growth packages.

-          Pro-Second Amendment laws.

-          Workforce development legislation.

-          The Educational Dual Enrollment Act.

-          Alabama’s IT-streamlining initiative.

-          Pay raise for Etowah County Deputy Sheriffs.

-          Human trafficking prevention.

The following is a full list of Senator Williams’ committee assignments for the current legislative quadrennium:

Senate Committee Assignments

Chair - Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development (at sixteen members, this is one of the largest Senate Committees).

Vice-Chair – Judiciary.

Constitution, Ethics & Elections.

Governmental Affairs.

Veterans & Military Affairs.

Legislative Council.

Rules Committee.

Special Assignment

Chair – Senate Subcommittee on Impeachment Procedures.

Lt. Governor Appointments

Joint Transportation Legislative Committee.

ADECA Legislative Oversight Commission.

Corrections, Board of Capital Outlay Oversight Commission.

Interim Finances and Budget.

Legal Defense Committee, Law Enforcement Officers.

Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement Officers, Joint Legislative Committee.

Municipal Government Legislative Committee.

Prison Committee, Joint Legislative Committee.

Regional Revolving Loans Permanent Policy Committee.