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U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, along with State Senator Brandon Smith, U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, and State Senator David Williams spoke to local people who gathered at the agency for the group’s visit.
Capps welcomed the group, thanking specific individuals for being “instrumental in helping get the funding for this Bell-Whitley establishment.”
Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock then took the podium, “I don’t know in my lifetime that there’s ever been this much true power assembled in one room, especially in Bell County, when you look at who sits here now,” began Brock. He went on to say, “a lot of federal funds are in this room, so it’s only fitting that you guys come here.”
In his address, Brock recalled a previous conversation with State Senator Brandon Smith. The two men agreed that “all politics are local.” Brock said that the upcoming election will have a tremendous effect on American’s futures, especially in Bell County.
“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to actually make a difference on a national level, right here in our little county,” stated Brock.
Senator Smith discussed his experience on the campaign trail with McConnell, “It’s interesting when you’re riding around and the media is not around, and people are given to talk about whatever’s on their mind, it’s always about our district,” stated Smith.
“Never has there been a time in history when national politics can change the way you live at your own house,” Smith said, in reference to Brock’s earlier comments.
Smith and Senator David Williams discussed their personal histories in supporting the coal industry in Kentucky. Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy in Kentucky, said that Williams has helped to secure funding for Bell County. Williams remarked that he sought to bring coal severance money to the area because of the county’s coal production rate and because he is a coal supporter.
“To every coal miner you see, you are to say ‘thank you’. Thank you because if we didn’t have them going down there everyday, the only alternative to coal is darkness,” said Williams, who serves as the Kentucky chairman for Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign.
Williams discussed the importance of Nov. 4, “This is serious time, serious decisions that will effect generations to come,” he stated.
Congressman Hal Rogers reflected on his career in relation to Bell County and presented his political opinion of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.
“You have a U.S. Senator now who is the longest serving Republican senator in the state,” said Rogers. He praised McConnell for his interest in the state of Kentucky, his funding and citizen support.
With that, McConnell himself took the floor.
“Somehow, in this country, we always right ourselves,” stated McConnell, as he discussed the issues we have with the economy, state funding and coal severance at home and across the country.
“On your behalf, last year, I delivered for Kentucky $500 million dollars,” McConnell stated.
McConnell encouraged everyone to hit the polls at the upcoming election. “Everyone of you have a sphere of influence,” McConnell said.
Capps commended the audience for their attendance and thanked the elected officials for their visit. Capps emphasized that Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency does not endorse any political party. However, she did insist that each official in attendance on Tuesday “had been a great asset in helping us to obtain funding for this new building and for Bell County.”
Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.
Pictured above at Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency on Tuesday (facing, from left) is Senator David Williams, Senator Brandon Smith, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency Executive Director Peggy Capps and Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock.
Senator Brandon Smith with (right) U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers. Both men spoke about the upcoming election during an unanticipated visit to Bell County on Tuesday.
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, speaking to Bell County residents concerning the upcoming election. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford are battling across the state for McConnell’s seat. Pictured also is McConnell’s wife, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, who joins him on the campaign trail. (SARAH MIRACLE/ Middlesboro Daily News)
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