The Knox County Lincoln Day Dinner on March 15, 2014 at Rothchild’s Catering and Conference Center
Last night, Former Congressman Allen West of Florida spoke at the Knox County Lincoln Day Dinner. It was held in the normal venue. Rothchild’s Catering and Conference Center in Southwest Knox County.
In 1979 West came to Knoxville for the UT Army ROTC training. He said that UT had one of finest ROTC programs in nation, he lived on 7th floor of Hess Hall. This was the first time he lived on his own. West was 18 years old at the time. He is now 53.
West said that the road to Rocky Top can be part of American Dream, that was 35 years ago. His parents grew up in GA when it was not a good time to be black.
When the Republican Party was established the GOP – stood for Growth Opportunity Prosperity. Thomas Jefferson – American Dream. He said the GOP established to break chains of bondage, created the 13th 14th 15th amendments. The first blacks in Congress came from Florida. The Democrats took over & became party of kkk, poll tax, lynchings. Now the fight is not about bondage, but subjugation.
We must understand our own lineage, the challenge today is debt and deficit. The problem with the Republican party is that we don’t make a connection with voter. Conservative principles allows inclusiveness without selling out ourselves. Separation of church and state was simply a letter to some baptists in Danbury CT. President Thomas Jefferson said he didn’t want to see head of state as clergy.
Allen West grew up in same Atlanta neighborhood of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ebenezer Baptist Church was across the street.
TN Senior Senator Lamar Alexander (R) welcomes Congressman West
A few of his comments addressed the government giving unwed mom a check if keep man out of house. In Washington, D.C. see same thing, a lack of responsibility, Unemployment was 26 weeks now it is 99 weeks. Current people in govt don’t want people to work, they are dis incentivizing people to work. It’s like layaway, if you can’t afford it – don’t buy it, get out there and work for it and earn it.
West learned how to understand figures by reading Atlanta Braves box scores. He married a financial investor, a good education is the key to prosperity, while the other side is closing charter schools and landing on the side of teacher unions.
West said his parents instilled an emphasis of service to country. His dad served in WWII, his older brother served. His family said they wanted West to be first military officer in the family.
Former Congressman Allen West of Florida
The Secretary of Defense announced army cuts, days later Putin invaded Crimea. We need to get people to believe in ideas and then stay there, not just there for black history month or Hispanic outreach. We must stay in community – show commitment to community or they will go to other side (Democrats). Or do you want to be first generation that leaves less to next generation than what was left to us. Are you Willing to take that challenge?!
Leave out of here to do one simple thing that Americans do – stand and side with the Stars and Stripes the liberty and freedom we hold so dear.
West was presented with a. Coach Butch Jones autographed football and a Coach Holly Warlick autographed basketball.
State Senator Stacey Campfield and Congressman West discuss policy. Source: Campfield’s Facebook page.
Republican State Executive Committeewoman District 5 Candidate Melissa Browder with Congressman West at last nights Lincoln Day Dinner. Source: Browder’s Facebook page
Special thanks to Congressman John J Duncan, Jr for getting West as the Speaker.
