Wednesday, July 2, 2003

When I was a small boy, Lester Maddox was serving as lieutenant governor, and my mother worked in his office.

Many times I would walk in unannounced and there would be important legislators sitting in front of his desk, and without fail, he would tell them to "hold on a minute," and he would come over, shake my hand, ask how I was doing, and say, "I'm glad you are here." He would promptly invite me to sit down at his desk, and he would finish his discussions with an attentive 9-year-old listening to every uncensored word.

He was kind and generous to my mother, and everyone else that came to see him. His office was entertainment headquarters at the Capitol. Celebrities, prominent politicians, and athletes of every background, race, and social standing ... all enjoyed coming to "Maddox Country," as the sign in his front window read.

Gov. Maddox stood for what he believed in. How sad that our current leaders haven't the same trait. They could have learned something from him; I sure did.

Scott K. Gilbert

Fayetteville, Ga