By Sen. John Schickel
Special to NKyTribune
Our adult field trip to the state Capitol was a huge success. As stated in a previous column, I always noticed when the children came to Frankfort how the adult chaperones were the ones who were impressed – hence our adult field trip.
About 50 of us gathered at 8 a.m. on June 11 in the parking lot of St. Timothy Church in Union. Those who didn’t want to drive quickly paired up with drivers and we were off. I went all expressways, Interstate 75 south to Interstate 64 west toward Frankfort. However, some folks chose to take the more scenic route of 127 through Owenton.
We all met outside the Governor’s Mansion for our 10 a.m. tour. Those of us who arrived early enjoyed the gorgeous flower gardens in front of the mansion as well as the fountain. Our tour was great with a wonderful tour guide who explained all about the mansion and the artwork in it.
We then left the mansion for the state Capitol across the driveway. Our tour guide did a wonderful job explaining the Capitol rotunda statuary – Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Alben Barkley and Ephraim McDowell. I could write a column on each of these men. It was also a privilege to have the Gov. Steve Beshear’s chief of staff, Larry Bond, visit with the group and explain to us the interworking of the governor’s office.
It was then onto the Kentucky Supreme Court chambers on the second floor of the Capitol, which if you have not seen it, is very impressive. Justice Michelle M. Keller, a native of Northern Kentucky, talked to our group about how the Supreme Court works, and it was very interesting. She also took questions from the group.
We then visited both the Senate and House chambers; however, they are being refurbished so that part of the tour was short. State Senate President Pro Tem David P. Givens, R-Greensburg, also visited with our group.
After lunch, we boarded buses for the Old State Capitol in downtown Frankfort. This was my favorite part of the tour as I had never been in that building. We saw with interest the spot where Gov. William Goebel was assassinated in February 1900. He remains the only governor in the United States to be assassinated while in office. Inside the Old State Capitol, you could feel the history and picture the great statesman Henry Clay in the Senate chamber. It was interesting for me to think that even when the state was founded in 1792 there were 15 senators and 43 representatives.
We were back in Boone County in time for supper. Word has spread fast about the trip, and I’m getting calls from people disappointed they missed out, so we have started a waiting list for a fall trip. I will announce a date soon. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, contact Lisa Smith at 502-564-8100 ext. 617.
Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, represents Boone County.