Alabama District Circle K welcomes U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) as the featured speaker during the Keynote Session of the 57th Annual Alabama District Circle K Convention. Congressman Byrne will draw upon his experience as a State and National official to deliver a talk on the importance of civic invovlement and community service to the success of Alabama.

Bradley Byrne was born and raised in Mobile, just a few miles from the site where his great-great-great grandfather, Gerald Byrne, settled in the 1780’s.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Duke University, Byrne received his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He has practiced law in Mobile for more than 30 years, always active in the local community through various service and economic development organizations.

Byrne served as a member of the Alabama State Senate representing District 32 from 2003 to 2007. Byrne was elected to Congress in December 2013, to complete the term of Congressman Jo Bonner, who announced his retirement in May 2013. Congressman Byrne was elected to his first full term on November 4, 2014.

In Congress, Byrne has established himself as an effective legislator by successfully advocating for local interests while also championing a smaller, less invasive federal government. Byrne has worked to support local industry through improved infrastructure, including the construction of a new I-10 bridge over the Mobile River.

A lifelong native of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Byrne pushed hard for a spot on the House Committee on Natural Resources. In this role, Byrne has led the charge for reforms to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act which would give more power over the Red Snapper fishery to the Gulf States.

As a former member of the Alabama State Board of Education and former Chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, Byrne saw the House Committee on Education and the Workforce as a natural fit. On the Committee, Byrne has attempted to return more control over education policy to the state and local level. Byrne has made workforce training and technical education one of his top priorities.

Byrne has been married to the former Rebecca Dukes of Montgomery for over 30 years. Rebecca is the President and CEO of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, and they are the parents of four children: Patrick, Kathleen, Laura, and Colin. Bradley and Rebecca welcomed the birth of their first grandson, MacGuire Arthur Byrne, on September 4, 2014. Bradley lives in Fairhope where he and his family are members of St. James Episcopal Church.

About Alabama District Circle K
Alabama District Circle K is the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis Club in Alabama. Alabama District Circle K is made up of almost 400 members through chapters on more than a dozen campuses across Alabama, both Universities and Community Colleges. Markedly different from the overall trend in civic clubs, Circle K is growing in Alabama with four new chapters within the past year and two new chapters in the previous year. Combined, our chapters do more than 3,000 hours of community service each year on their campuses and in their communities, with partners like March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, local shelters, and food banks. From a leadership development angle, Circle K is lead by a Board of Directors at each local chapter and a elected District Board which serves as the coordinating body for the chapters in Alabama. These groups are aided by the support of Kiwanis members who serve as advisors on both the chapter and district level. More information can be found at alabamacki.org