How many times is there a celebration of 60 years of public service? On Saturday, August 16, there will be a big one.
It is “Jubilee for Jabo.” Hosted by the Jefferson County Republican Party, it will be a reunion roast on the advent of James T. “Jabo” Waggoner’s serving 52 years in the state house and senate and eight years in community service.
The shindig will be held in his legislative district in the Vestavia Hill Civic Center at 6 p.m. Details and ticket information here.
Jabo is 88 years old but does not look it or act it.
He has served in the Alabama State Senate for 35 years, so far.
He had formerly served in the Alabama State House for 17 years.
Politicos, news media and citizens who know Jabo know parts of his story, but few know the whole story.
How he grew up in blue-collar working-class Ensley on Birmingham’s west side.
How he continues a long-standing family faith in the Churches of Christ.
How he starred in sports at Ensley High School, most prominently, basketball.
How walked on at Auburn and played basketball for two years.
How he then was awarded a full basketball scholarship to Birmingham-Southern College, just a stone’s throw from the house where he grew up. He played two years at BSC and graduated with a BA in 1960.
How he went to night law school, finishing at Birmingham School of Law. He has found the legal knowledge invaluable in government but has not practiced law.
How he grew into adulthood using the first name, “Jimmy.” Jimmy Waggoner. A few oldsters, family and friends, still call him Jimmy, but not many.
“Jabo” was originally the nickname of our Jabo’s father, James T. “Jabo” Waggoner, Sr. He was elected a Birmingham City Commissioner back when they had a powerful three-member commission. He was also Executive Assistant to the Alabama Public Service Commission. Jabo Sr. himself ran for a seat on the PSC in 1970 but was unsuccessful.
Jabo Sr. had name recognition. He was well-known in the greater Birmingham area and local news media. When young Jimmy Waggoner decided to enter politics, it was a shrewd move to adopt the nickname Jabo. After all, he is indeed James T. Waggoner, Jr., so why not also take his father’s highly recognized nickname, Jabo?
Plus, it is a neat name. Down to earth. Short. Instantly recognizable. In Montgomery, all you have to do is mention “Jabo,” and everyone knows who you are talking about.
Jabo has been married 68 years, so far, to his wife Marilyn, also an Ensley graduate but a younger woman – one year younger. Marilyn has been a leader in the legislative spouses, the Republican women and the Churches of Christ. But mostly, she tends to the family while Jabo is busy on governmental matters.
The accomplishments of Jabo during his legislative career are numerous and difference-making. On some projects, he was the initiator – the guy who got it started. On others, he was the prime mover. Other times, he pitched in as a team effort.
In researching for this article, my personal assessment is that Jabo’s most difference-making accomplishment was the 1975 acquisition of 45 square blocks in Birmingham’s Southside for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB would not have been able to grow into a major university and medical complex were it not for the strategically located land acquired through Jabo's efforts.
Jabo’s other accomplishments are:
Chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, deciding which bills to put on the Senate calendar.
Protective Stadium on Birmingham’s northside.
United Ability campus for cerebral palsy patients.
Rainbow Omega facility in Eastaboga, Alabama for Down’s syndrome patients.
CoachSafely Foundation to promote safer athletics.
Alabama School of Fine Arts.
Stopping double-dipping when legislators also hold other state jobs.
Red Tape Reduction Act to assist small businesses in dealing with state government.
Major expansion in Vestavia Hills (Jabo’s home).
Regulating the Birmingham Water Works Board.
Expanding Alabama exports.
Appointment of Greg Canfield to Department of Commerce.
Regulation of steel coils falling off flatbed trucks.
Mandatory seat belt law.
Distracted Driving Bill of 2023.
Establishment of the Jefferson County Manager.
Too many more to list. It would take a book.
Sen. Waggoner’s present term in the state senate, his eighth, runs through 2026. His seat is up for election next year. He has wisely not said if he will run again at the age of 89 – or not. He has one more year on his present term and is well aware that a setting sun puts forth very little heat.
Will Jabo take advantage of the crowd and media at the Jubilee for Jabo to announce his intentions for the 2026 election? I’m betting not. Jabo can draw all the crowd and media he needs when he finally announces, without needing to piggyback on Jubilee for Jabo.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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