The Jefferson County Republican Party held their annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner on Saturday evening, April 27, 2013 at Carson Newman College. Key note speaker for the event was United States Senator Lamar Alexander. Other dignitaries that participated in the program were, in order of appearance- Chancellor Telford Forgety, Judge Dewayne Sloan, U.S. Representative Jimmy Duncan, State House Representative Jeremy Faison, State House Representative Andrew Farmer and State Senator Frank Nicely. Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Paula Rugel-Gibson offered the welcome and 1stVice-Chair Barry Fain made the introduction of a large number of local and state officials that were in attendance at the annual event. The National Anthem was performed by Jefferson County High Schoolstudent Kaylee Kesterson.
Senator Alexander addressed his major areas of concentration while in Washington. His property list includes fixing the National debt, lifting regulations and taxes to stimulate the economy, with emphasis on the new Health Care Law, and moving decisions back to the State and local government. He also expressed his commitment to including History as a subject of importance in schools, returning education reform to the State level and encouraging youth to participate in the political structure in the local, State and National government. Alexander stated that it is a great privilege to serve in the United States Senate and thanked Jefferson County citizens for their support.
Representative Farmer, Representative Faison and Senator Nicely presented Jefferson County High School Teacher of the Year, Susan Stiner, with House Joint Resolution #152 for her efforts in education.
Two Jefferson County Republican women were honored with the Barbara McAndrew Jefferson County Republican Women Award. Vicki Forgety and Betty Fain made the presentations to Tamra Fain and Mary Ann French, respectively. Paula Rugel-Gibson presented Vicki Forgety the award for Republican of the Year.
Centerpieces for the event were provided by the Jefferson County Republican Women, in memory of Grande Dame of the Jefferson County Republican Party, Barbara McAndrew.