What a difference a day makes! I first heard this expression as a young boy so it has been around a while.

But it seems to be astrue today as it was 50 years ago.

Last Friday I had virtually no committee assignments in the Legislature and on Monday of this week I find myself on every important committee in the State Senate.

The internal feud which has been ongoing since January has finally been settled and you might say I and my complaining colleagues came out on top.

I have been appointed to serve on the Senate Finance General Fund Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Economic Expansion and Trade, the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility, the Constitution and Elections Committee, the Governmental Affairs Committee, the Military Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Commerce, Transportation and Utilities.

I will chair the Constitutions and Elections Committee, and I have been named Vice Chairman of the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility.

In addition I will serve on the Legislative Council which is the internal governing body of the Legislature.

The Governor has appointed me as the Alabama legislator to the Southern Growth Policies Board and the Lt. Governor has reappointed me as Alabama's legislative representative on the executive committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.

I also am serving as the Alabama delegate to the National Energy Council, an organization I had the privilege of serving as chairman two years ago.

Several of my colleagues have gone together and formed a Foundation whose purpose is to promote the good things about Alabama — and there are many.

I have been elected to serve as an officer in this group.

My many years of public service have aided me considerably in &uot;knowing the ropes&uot; to work successfully for my constituents but the above assignments will further enhance my ability to be effective in your behalf.

I am very pleased the way things have worked out.

This has been the most unusual legislative session I have ever witnessed or been a part of.

In many respects it has been historic.

A first term governor has

gotten almost everything he has asked for.

That's almost unheard of.

A Republican governor has had to work with a Democratic Lt Governor and Legislature, and done so successfully.

That's almost unheard of.

The Senate was embattled in an internal struggle for almost the entire session, yet came together and passed 23 major tax and accountability reform bills in record fashion.

That, folks, is a minor miracle.

So to say the least it has been interesting and educational.

Much of these good things happened because we have bold leadership in the governor's office and we have an outstanding group of individuals in the State Senate.

We have our differences but, to borrow a Coach Bear Bryant

phrase,

&uot;when the going gets tough the tough get going&uot;.

Until next week, remember &uot;I'll go with you or I'll go for you&uot; to help you solve any problem related to state government.

Senator Wendell Mitchell can be reached at 334-242-7883, or by writing to P O Box 225, Luverne, Alabama 36049.