Cost of Courage- Analysis

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Carl Elliott: Cost of Courage Carl Elliott is one of the most powerful, yet forgotten political figures from Walker County. He is forgotten because he didn’t make decisions based on other people’s views, but he stuck with his own morals and values. His view points were way ahead of his time. Elliott was the first senator from Alabama to push for desegregation. His courage cost him dearly. Growing up, Mr. Elliott was taught that hard work always pays off. He used that value throughout his entire life. He graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. Even though he lived in poverty, he was able to attend college due to the Depression Era. Elliott attended the University of Alabama’s School of Law. His first real battle came, while he was in college. Elliott ran to be the Student Government President. He defeated, “The Machine”, a select group of fraternities and sororities that normally won the election. His victory came, because of the support of more out-of-state students and women. Elliott completed his term as President and graduated with a law degree. Elliott then served as a lawyer in the Russelville and Jasper areas. He represented mostly coal miners and their families. This foreshadowed his long political career of representing, Alabama’s poorest, disadvantaged people. Mr. Elliott fought strongly in support of better education. He stated once that education is what made him into a successful man. He played an important part in passing the Library Services and Construction Act of 1956. This bill helped build libraries in every county of Alabama. Mr. Elliott ran for Congress in 1948 under the slogan “Farm Boy to Congress.” He won this election and served seven terms in Congress. After his stint in Congress, Elliott ran for Governor of Alabama in 1966 on the platform of federal assistance for the needy and better education. He ran against Lurleen

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