Merrill honors Baker

State Rep. Alan Baker was awarded the National Association Of Secretaries of State (NASS) Gold Medallion Award Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 by Alabama State Secretary John Merrill at the courthouse in Brewton, Ala.

Baker served 27 years as in public education as a teacher and coach, where he acquired 10 state championships, five in football and five in track, and was honorably inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Association's Hall of Fame and retired in 2005. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2006, representing District 66 and participating actively in the Local Legislation Committee, the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee on Economic Incentives as the chairman, the Technology and Research Committee, Ways and Means Education Committee and the Baldwin County Legislation Committee as a member.

"This is the highest award that a secretary of state can present to an individual," said Merrill. "It's also a national award because it has to be approved by the National Association of Secretaries of State. It's not something that is taken lightly."

Although he didn't play football under Baker, Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson did attend T.R. Miller High School and got to know who Baker was from the sidelines at football games, track meets, and other sporting events.

"I always heard him with positive remarks to the kids and how much the kids adored him and loved him," said Jackson. "I didn't have the opportunity to play under him, but I got the opportunity to watch him mentor people."

Jackson said as he got older and got to know him, Baker retired and decided to run for the Alabama House of Representatives, he was proud.

"I was proud of that because I know we'd sent somebody to Montgomery who was there because he had a heart and not because he had something political to do....I'm proud that he's my legislator, I'm proud that he's my leader and I'm proud that he's my friend," said Jackson.

"That man sitting right there is one of the best representatives of us we have ever had in this county," said Escambia County Probate Judge Doug Agerton. "He is an excellent representative for us, he always has been."

Agerton told several stories about Baker's reign as a coach, emphasizing what a good leader and strong coach Baker was, as he held his students' feet to the fire in everything they did.

"When he decided to run for the House, everybody in East Brewton said they were going to vote for Coach Baker because they did not want him coaching at T.R. Miller," joked Agerton. "That tells you what kind of fellow he is and how much he is respected in our county and in our cities. We can't have a better person to represent us in our county. He is my friend, he always has been and always will be, and we can't ask for a better guy."

Merrill said he was in awe of how much Baker was respected when Merrill was elected to represent parts of Tuscaloosa County in 2010 and served beside Baker.

"Somebody who had been elected four years before me and had navigated his way through the Legislature to quickly become one of the most well-respected young members of the House of Representatives and that was Alan Baker," said Merrill. "The thing about Representative Baker, to me, was how everybody respected him. Because everybody knew he was there for the right reasons, doing it the right way, and doing it to make sure he was benefitting his community and working with everyone to make sure the state continued to move forward. Those were the things that impressed me the most about Alan Baker."

When Merrill asked Baker to endorse him when he ran for Secretary of State, Baker told him he did not endorse people, but he made an exception and supported Merrill.

Merrill said Baker is such a strong leader because he will not ask someone to do something he is not willing to do or has done.

"Many of the laws that we've been able to change to make elections more secure in the state of Alabama have been passed by Alan Baker," said Merrill. "If there was a person I could pick that I would want to represent me in my district, it would be Alan Baker. I don't know of a man who is more dedicated Christian, stronger leader or better legislator than this man."

"This is a very special honor for me," said Baker. "I am very humbled by all of you who are present today. This recognition from the office of Secretary of State is such a meaningful honor for me to receive."

Baker thanked Merrill, Jackson, Agerton, his wife, his parents, his siblings, two teachers, ages 97 and 86, who were present, and many others who he feels have helped impact who he is.

"My life is a reflection of all of you," said Baker. "I love you all and I am so grateful for your attendance....I thank you for your support in shaping me to be a servant leader and allowing me to have that heart of service."

Baker's award will be hung permanently among the other award recipients given over the last 40 years when it was first created, at the Alabama State House on South Union Street in downtown Montgomery.