PLEASE WELCOME TODAY'S PRESIDING OFFICER, SENIOR ADVISER TO GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR, ROCKY ADKINS.

>> PLEASE BE SEATED.

GOVERNOR, YOU DRAW A PRETTY BIG CROWD, I'LL TELL YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE.

WELCOME TO THE 62nd INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY.

AND THE SECOND FOR OUR ESTEEMED GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

[ APPLAUSE ] FOR YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, MY NAME IS ROCKY ADKINS AND I'VE HAD THE DISTINCT HONOR OF BEING BY THIS GOVERNOR'S SIDE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO WATCH HIM UP CLOSE.

I'VE SAT WITH HIM IN MEETINGS, TOURED FACTORIES WITH HIM, WALKED WITH HIM THROUGH STREETS THAT WERE WASHED AWAY AND WATCHED HIM TOUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE DEVASTATED BY STORMS AND TORNADOES.

I'VE WATCHED HIM STOP EVERYTHING TO STEP OVER PILES OF DEBRIS AND COMFORT SOMEONE WITH A HUG.

THESE LAST TO YOU ARE YEARS, I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING ANDY BESHEAR BE THE KIND OF LEADER KENTUCKY NEEDED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS GOT STUFF WHEN THINGS GOT TOUGH AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THINGS GOT PRETTY TOUGH.

BUT EVEN THE TOUGH TIMES DIDN'T DISTRACT HIM FROM THE BUSINESS OF MAKING KENTUCKY BETTER THAN ITS EVER BEEN.

THANKS TO THIS GOVERNOR, WE ARE BUILDING ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT OTHERS HAVE ONLY TALKED ABOUT, AND WE ARE BUILDING THEM FROM EAST TO WEST, NORTH TO SOUTH AND EVERY PLACE IN BETWEEN.

WE ARE SEEING RECORD INVESTMENTS CREATING THOUSANDS OF GOOD JOBS.

KENTUCKY IS ON A PATH NOW TO BECOME THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND YOU KNOW GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARE MAKING HISTORY AND IT'S UNDER THIS GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP AND THE TEAM HE HAS ASSEMBLED THAT IS GETTING IT DONE.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN IN KENTUCKY THESE LAST FOUR YEARS AND WE ARE NOT DONE.

THIS PAST NOVEMBER, THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY SAID THEY'RE NOT DONE EITHER, GOVERNOR!

[ APPLAUSE ] AS A MATTER OF FACT, THEY SAID THEY WANT MORE.

THAT'S WHY THEY VOTED TO GIVE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN ANOTHER FOUR YEARS BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN WHAT WHEN TEAM CAN DO.

THEY SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU FORGIVE GET POLITICS AND PUT PEOPLE FIRST AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, NOT TO DRIVE THE STATE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT, BUT TO LEAD US FORWARD AND GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT!

[ APPLAUSE ] I'VE WATCHED JACQUELINE COLEMAN, AS A MATTER OF FACT, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, FOR A LONG TIME.

I'VE WATCHED JACQUELINE COLEMAN BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOU KNOW, I GUESS IT JUST TOOK SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THEIR WAY AROUND A BASKETBALL COURT.

OR MAYBE SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE HEART AND THE MIND OF AN EDUCATOR AND A COACH.

WHAT I KNOW IS THAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN IS AS GOOD AN ADVOCATE AND FIGHTER AS WE'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME AND I'M GLAD WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THAT'S WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ABOUT FROM DAY ONE.

BEING ONE TEAM, BEING TEAM KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE ALL HERE TODAY BECAUSE WHEN WE NEEDED A GOVERNOR TO LEAD WITH HIS HEART, ANDY BESHEAR STEPPED UP.

WHEN WE NEEDED A GOVERNOR TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, ANDY BESHEAR SHOWED UP.

WHEN WE NEEDED A GOVERNOR TO TAKE A STAND WITH COURAGE AND A BACKBONE, ANDY BESHEAR STOOD UP!

AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE NEED A GOVERNOR IN TIMES LIKE THAT, HE WILL DO IT ALL AGAIN.

HE IS A MAN OF FAITH WHO LOVES HIS FAMILY.

AND HE LOVES THIS COMMONWEALTH.

YOU'VE SEEN IT, I'VE SEEN IT AND KENTUCKY SEES IT.

GOVERNOR, WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER SO GOVERNOR, WE ARE WITH YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN.

WE ARE READY TO CONTINUE MAKING THIS GREAT COMMONWEALTH BETTER THAN SHE HAS EVER BEEN AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE IN THE ARENA, IN THE ARENA WITH YOU, RIGHT THERE WITH YOU EVERY DAY.

IT'S TRULY BEEN AN HONOR OF MY 37 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE PASTOR PHIL YATES WITH US TODAY.

REVEREND YATES CURRENTLY SERVES AS PASTOR OF LITTLE ZION BAPTIST CHURCH IN BOURBON, KENTUCKY.

PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME REVEREND Dr. PHILLIP A. YATES.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

LET'S PRAY TOGETHER.

GOD OF HEAVEN, GREAT CREATOR, GIVER OF ALL GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS WE INVITE YOU AND WE WELCOME YOU TO THIS SECOND INAUGURATION SWEARING IN CEREMONY AND THIS SECOND TERM OF GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN.

THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT COMMONWEALTH, FATHER, HAVE SPOKEN.

THEY HAVE ENTRUSTED THE CONTINUED LEADERSHIP TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN.

LORD, THEIR FIRST TERM WAS MET WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC CHALLENGED CAN DEVASTATING TORNADOES IN THE WEST.

LIFE CHANGING FLOODS IN THE EAST , AND MANY OTHER ADVERSITIES IN BETWEEN.

BUT, LORD, WE GOT THROUGH THEM AND WE GOT THEM THEM TOGETHER WE ARE TEAM KENTUCKY.

FATHER, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS HOLD FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN, BUT WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL HOLD THEM IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS.

IF YOU KEEP THEM, FATHER WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE WELL KEPT.

FINALLY LORD, I PRAY THAT THEY WILL FINISH WELL, THAT THEY WILL FINISH STRONG, AND AS MENTIONED IN A SERMON ALMOST A CENTURY AGO BY PASTOR VANCE HAVNER.

THEY'LL THEY'LL GET HOME BEFORE DARK.

THEY FINISHED WELL BY COMPLETING WITH DETERMINATION THE TASKS OF LEADING KENTUCKY INTO THE FUTURE.

THEY FINISHED STRONG BY REMAINING FAITHFUL TO YOU AND THEIR CONVICTIONS OF SERVING ALL THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

THEY GET HOME BEFORE DARK BECAUSE OF YOUR HAND OF PROTECTION OVER THEM OVER THERE I FAMILIES OVER THEIR CABINET AND OVER THEIR STAFF.

AND THEY WILL FINISH THEIR JOURNEY WITH JOY, TO ALL OF THIS LORD, WE GIVE YOU THE PRAISE, THE HONOR AND THE GLORY WE ASK ALL OF THIS IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.

>> THANK YOU REVEREND YATES.

WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL PAST FOUR YEARS AND HAVE SEEN SUCCESSES THAT MOST OTHER STATES JUST DREAM ABOUT.

BUT WE HAVE ALSO HAD OUR SHARE OF TRAGIC LOSSES.

WE DIDN'T KNOW FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE STOOD HERE, WHAT KIND OF SADNESS AND LOSS WE WOULD BE FACING JUST WEEKS INTO THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION AS DOCTORS AND NURSES AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AROUND THE WORLD SCRAMBLED TO KEEP UP, COVID-19 RAVAGED ITS WAY INTO EVERY CORNER OF OUR LIVES.

HERE IN KENTUCKY, WE WORKED HARD TO LIMIT ITS IMPACT AS BEST WE.

STILL, TOO MANY LIVES WERE LOST.

WE LOST 80 KENTUCKIANS TO TORNADOES OUT WEST AND 45 TO THE FLOODS BACK EAST.

WE'VE LOST FRIENDS, CO-WORKERS FAMILY MEMBER, PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE PEOPLE WE'LL MISS.

WE MOURN THE LIVES WE'VE LOST, BUT WE CHERISH THEIR SPIRIT THAT LIVES ON.

SO WE TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THEM AND CELEBRATE THEIR PRESENCE IN OURS LIVES.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THEIR HONOR.

THANK YOU.

WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD FROM WALKER MONTGOMERY.

LET'S GIVE HIM ANOTHER BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE, PLEASE.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM SEVERAL OTHER INCREDIBLE CREDIBLE PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS WITH US HERE TODAY.

HELP ME WELCOME A GREAT SINGER, SONGWRITER, COMPOSER AND CELLIST TO PERFORM GOD BLESS AMERICA.

HERE IS BEN SOLLEE.

WELCOME HUM TO THE STAGE.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA ♪ ♪ LAND THAT I LOVE ♪ ♪ STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS.

♪ TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME ♪ ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ ♪ TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ OH GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME, SWEET HOME ♪ [ APPLAUSE ] >> PLEASE WELCOME FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE MICHAEL MULLER AND THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FRANKFORT, LANE WILKERSON.

>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL MULLER, FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE AND I WANT TO WELCOME TO YOU THE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY HERE, WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY.

WHAT A GREAT DAY NOT JUST TO CELEBRATE THAT WE ARE KENTUCKIANS, BUT TO CELEBRATE FOUR MORE YEARS OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN I AM HONORED TO STAND BEFORE YOU AS FRANKLIN COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE I'M PROUD OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE ACHIEVED.

WE HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE HORIZON FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY IN 2024 WITH VISION, WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND TEAM KENTUCKY OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT HERE, TODAY, AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND GOVERNORS, WE ARE ALL THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

BUT WHAT MAKES FRANKLIN COUNTY DIFFERENT IS THAT THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND FAMILIES ARE OUR CONSTITUENTS, TOO.

THEIR FAMILIES NOT ONLY WORK HERE BUT LIVE HERE THEIR CHILDREN WILL AND LIVA ARE IN IN OUR SCHOOLS.

LITTLE EVELYN IS IN A DAYCARE HERE.

THEY EAT IN OUR RESTAURANTS, UTILIZE OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ARE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AS I STAND HERE AT OUR CAPITOL, I AM REMINDED OF THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND THIS ADMINISTRATION.

THESE WORDS GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE BEAUTIFUL PARADE WE HAVE JUST WITNESSED TODAY.

THOSE WORDS ARE CHARACTER, COMPASSION AND COURAGE.

POSSESSING THESE THREE TRAITS IS KEY TO TEAM KENTUCKY AND THEY REPRESENT ALL THREE OF THESE WITH THAT, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, GOVERNOR BESHEAR, FIRST LADY BRITTANY BESHEAR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN AND YOUR HUSBAND CHRIS O'BRIEN ON A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

I, ALONG WITH MY WIFE ANDREA, AND EVERYONE HERE TODAY ARE CFORT THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO TO LEAD AND MOVE THE COMMONWEALTH IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR YEARS TO COME, THANK YOU.

>> DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND EVERYONE WATCHING AT HOME, WELCOME TO MY HOMETOWN AND OUR COMMONWEALTH'S BEAUTIFUL CAPITAL CITY.

ANDY BESHEAR IS MY GOVERNOR AND I'M PROUD TO BE HIS MAYOR.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S FAMILIES BE AN ACTIVE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR'S STEADY AND THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP AND THE RESILIENCY OF OUR PEOPLE, KENTUCKY IS NOT JUST PERSEVERED, IT HAS PROSPERED AND FRANKFORT IS NO EXCEPTION.

BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE'VE ESTABLISHED WITH TEAM KENTUCKY, OUR CITY IS SEEING INVESTMENT AND PROGRESS NOT SEEN IN A VERY LONG WHILE.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WE WILL CONTINUE THAT MOMENTUM AND PROPEL US TO EVEN GREATER HEIGHTS.

ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF CITY OF FRANKFORT, I EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND ALL ELECTED OFFICERS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PARTNERSHIP AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERY KENTUCKY YAB BECAUSE IT'S HERE IN TRUE HERE IN FRANKFORT AS WELL AS THE GREAT COMMONWEALTH, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE MULLER AND MAYOR WILKINSON.

KENTUCKY IS KNOWN FOR MANY ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, PAINTERS, POET AND STORYTELLERS THAT GIVE US SO MUCH JOY AND INSPIRATION NOT ONLY TO THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE BUT SO MANY OTHERS WHO GET TO ENJOY THEIR ART.

THIS PAST APRIL GOVERNOR BESHEAR APPOINTED A WHITLEY COUNTY NATIVE AS KENTUCKY'S POET LAUREATE.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM HERE TODAY WITH US.

LET'S PLEASE WELCOME OUR OWN NEW YORK TIMES SELLING BEST SELLING AND AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, KENTUCKY'S POET LAUREATE, SILAS HOUSE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THOSE WHO CARRY US WHEN I WAS LITTLE, A STORM GATHERED IN THE NIGHT WITH SHIVERS OF LIGHTNING AND QUAKING THUNDER.

THE RAIN FELL COLD AND SIDEWAYS FOR THREE DAYS.

ALL THE CREEKS CONSPIRED TO THE RAGING RIVER.

AS THE FLOODS SEEPED BENEATH OUR DOOR, MY MOTHER SAT ME ON HER HIP.

SHE CARRIED ME, MUDDY FOAM STRIKING HER KNEES, THEN HER WAIST.

BEFORE SHE REACHED HIGH GROUND WHERE NEIGHBORS WAITED TO HELP US.

ONCE MY AUNT RAN DOWN THE ROAD WITH ME LATCHED TO HER CHEST, A TORNADO BEHIND HER.

IN THE CHURCH BASEMENT, WE COULD HEAR THE HAVOC.

SHE WHISPERED IF YOU ARE STILL AND QUIET, THIS WILL PASS.

AFTERWARDS, A MIGHTY MOONSHINED SO BRIGHT, I COULD SEE OUR SHADOWS AS THE WORLD DRIPPED AND RIGHTED, ALREADY PEOPLE WERE REBUILDING.

EVEN HAMMERS AND SAWS MAKE A KIND OF MUSIC OFTEN THESE DAYS I STUDY ON THOSE WHO CARRY US, THE EFERRED PEOPLE-- THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE ENGINE OF THE WORLD RUNNING.

WHEN THE DARKEST SKIES MOVE IN, I REMIND MYSELF THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE GOOD.

I THINK OF SCHOOLTEACHERS WHO SAY YOU MATTER.

BUS DRIVERS WHO ARE GLAD TO SEE US EACH MORNING, LUNCH LADIES LAUGHING AS THEY LADLE OUT OUR FOOD, ALL THOSE WHO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

THE MECHANIC, MINER, MAIL CARRIER, CASHIERS, CLERKS, SINGERS, FARMERS, TRUCK DRIVERS, I CAN SEE THEM.

I IMAGINE THEIR SORE SHOULDER AND TIRED LEGS.

I THANK THEM FOR CARRYING ME EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW.

WE CARRY EACH OTHER FROM PINE MOUNTAIN TO THE PENNY RILE, PAST FEW LIP POPLARS AND GOLDEN RODS FROM CITY STREETS TO HOLLER ROADS, FROM THE WIDE OHIO TO THE QUICKENING CREEKS OF THE GORGE.

WE GO FORWARD TOGETHER.

WE LIVE OUR NEIGHBORS FROM HICKMAN TO HINDMAN, MAYFIELD TO LOUISVILLE, CUMBERLAND FALLS, FALLS OF ROUGH, FROM THE BLUEGRASS TO BOWLING GREEN, EMINENCE TO INDEPENDENCE.

LAWRENCE, LAUREL, LARUE, I WILL CARRY YOU.

KENTUCKY, WE WALK A WAYS TOGETHER WHETHER IN COLD RAIN OR MOONLIGHT.

SOMETIMES THE ONLY MUSIC IS HAMMERS AND SAWS, BUT WE KEEP GOING; AIMING FOR THE HIGH GROUND WHERE THEY WILL BE STANDING WITH THEIR ARMS OUT SAYING COME HERE AND REST LET ME HELP YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] FOLKS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS LINEUP PRETTY NEAT?

LET'S HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME FOR BEN, ONE MORE TIME FOR SILAS.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU, SILAS.

JACK COLEMAN HAS SERVED MANY ROLES IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

HE WAS THE FOURTH GENERATION TO RUN THE FAMILY'S BUSINESS AND HE HAS WORKED WITH BOTH THE BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP AND CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY.

IN HIS PUBLIC LIFE, HE SERVED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE KENTUCKY HOUSING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

HE SERVED ON THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD; THE BOURBON CITY COUNCIL, AND REPRESENTATIVE THE 55th DISTRICT IN THE KENTUCKY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHERE I FIRST MET JACK.

HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE HARRODSBURG CITY COMMISSION.

HE HAS DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

AND OUR COMMONWEALTH.

IF YOU ASK JACK WHAT IS HE MOST PROUD OF, HE IS LIKELY TO TELL YOU THAT WATCHING HIS DAUGHTER, OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SHOW UP AND WORK THE WAY SHE HAS THESE LAST FOUR YEARS RANKS RIGHT UP THERE AT THE TOP.

HERE TO INTRODUCE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY IS HER FATHER, JACK COLEMAN.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I'M JUST THROUGH THE MOST STRESSFUL PART OF THIS DAY WASN'T SURE WHAT ROCKY WAS GOING TO SAY.

[LAUGHTER] GOOD AFTERNOON.

1462 DAYS AGO I STOOD BEHIND THIS PODIUM AND HAD THE HONOR OF INTRODUCING MY DAUGHTER AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

TODAY, AGAIN I HAVE THE GREATER HONOR TO INTRODUCE HER AS SHE EMBARKS UPON A SECOND TERM AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK ALL THE STATE EMPLOYEES, THE VOLUNTEERS, PARTICIPANTS AND PLANNERS WHO MAKE THIS DAY POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY THE WEATHERMAN.

ON BEHALF OF THE COLEMAN O'BRIEN FAMILIES I FIRST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK GOVERNOR BESHEAR AGAIN FOR CHOOSING JACQUELINE AS HIS RUNNING MATE IN HIS AND THE ENTEAR BESHEAR FAMILIES' CONTINUE SUPPORT AND BELIEF IN HER.

TOGETHER THEY HAVE MADE ONE HELL OF A TEAM, DON'T YOU THINK?

[ APPLAUSE ] FOUR YEARS AGO, I STOOD HERE AND TOLD YOU AS A FATHER, I ALWAYS BELIEVED JACQUELINE HAD THE ABILITY AND I ALWAYS WONDERED IF SHE WOULD EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY.

TODAY I WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY, WHO REACHED OUT, EMBRACED, ENCOURAGED AND ALSO BELIEVED THAT SHE HAD THE ABILITY AND GAVE HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

FOUR YEARS AGO... [ APPLAUSE ] I WAS TASKED WITH THE INTRODUCTION LETTING YOU KNOW WHO SHE WAS.

; WHERE SHE CAME FROM, WHAT DEFINED HER.

I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE THREE INCREDIBLE WOMEN THAT HELPED SHAPE HER LIFE: MY MOTHER NANNY GAVE HER THAT LOOK.

MY LATE SISTER JAN, GAVE HER THAT LAUGH.

AND KALA GAVE HER THE LOVE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN HAS ALWAYS CARRIED HERSELF WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY.

SHE HAS ALWAYS MET HER HARDSHIPS HEAD ON, DID ELT WITH SETBACKS BY PICKING HERSELF UP, DUSTING HERSELF OFF AND GETTING BACK IN THE GAME.

BUT I NO LONGER HAVE TO SAY THESE THINGS.

WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH HER OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

NOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID BUT WATCH WHAT HAS BEEN DONE BY HER AND THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WHETHER IT'S CHAMPION UNIVERSAL PRE-K SO EVERY CHILD NO MATTER THE ZIP CODE GETS THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

[ APPLAUSE ] , ESTABLISHING TEAM KENTUCKY STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES SO EVERY CHILD NO MATTER THEIR BACKGROUND, GETS ACCESS TO SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

GETTING FREE G.E.D.

TESTING TO ELIMINATE THE NUMBER ONE BARRIER FOR PEOPLE ASPIRING TO FURTHER EDUCATION.

THIS IS ALLOWED OVER 8100 KENTUCKIANS TO BEGIN WORK ON THE G.E.D.

OR WORKING WITH THE KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF FUND AND THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF FUND TO ASSIST KENTUCKIANS REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION THAT WERE IMPACTED BY THE HISTORICAL WEATHER SITUATIONS.

INAUGURATION IS THE TIME OF CELEBRATION AND ANTICIPATION.

COLLECTIVELY WE LOOK BACK AT OUR JOURNEYS AND CONTEMPLATE THE MANY PATHS HAT HAVE BROUGHT TO US THIS PLACE AT THIS TIME.

BUT ALSO WE LOOK FORWARD, ENVISIONING WHERE WE ARE GOING TOGETHER.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHERE THIS GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL LEAD US.

SO NOW, WITH GREAT HONOR AND PRIDE FROM THE COLEMAN AND O'BRIEN FAMILIES, I WANT TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, JACKS LIN COLEMAN, THE 58th LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

[ APPLAUSE ] IS.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON IT IS AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU TODAY IT IS AN HONOR TO WITH YOU AND THE FIRST WOMAN TO EVER TAKE THIS OATH OF OFFICE [APPLAUSE] TODAY WE GATHER ON THE TENS OF THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE NOT AS DEMOCRATS, OR REPUBLICANS, OR INDEPENDENTS, BUT AS KENTUCKIANS.

AS I LOOK AROUND I'M REMINDED WHAT UNITES US IS FAR GREATER THAN WHAT DIVIDES US.

I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT ME AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO DO THE WORK THAT I LOVE.

MY PARENTS, PARTICULARLY MY DAD, FROM WHOM COMPLIMENTS ARE HARD TO COME BY, SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT GOT THAT INTRODUCTION ON VIDEO, DAD.

MY HUSBAND AND YOUR SECOND GENTLEMAN, CHRIS.

[APPLAUSE] EMMA, WILL, NATE AND EVELYN, I WORK TOWARDS A BETTER KENTUCKY EVERYDAY WITH YOU IN MIND.

AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THE FIRST FAMILY.

IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO SERVE ALONG SOMEONE WHO TREATINGS EVERY KENTUCKY FAMILY AS HIS OWN.

[APPLAUSE] GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR EXAMPLE AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME TO SERVE.

THANK YOU.

IN THE BUILDING BEHIND US, WE SEE MEMORIALS TO KENTUCKIANS WHO ALL IMPERFECT, ROSE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THEIR DAY.

MEN LIKE ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BEST KNOWN FOR HOLDING THE COUNTRY TOGETHER THROUGH THE CIVIL WARF.

HENRY CLAY WHO HISTORY REMEMBERS AS THE GREAT COMPROMISER.

AND NETTIE, THE FIRST FEMALE STATUE IN OUR CAPITAL WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A TEACHER.

[APPLAUSE] THE BESHEAR-COLEMAN ADMINISTRATION FORGED ITS OWN PATH BUT WE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THE HISTORIC, UNIQUELY KENTUCKY SYMBOLISM AROUND US.

BECAUSE BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH THE TOUGHEST OF TIMES LIKE LINCOLN FINDING COMMON GROUND ON THE BIGGEST ISSUES OF THE DAY AS CLAY DID.

AND BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE ONE STUDENT AT A TIME LIKE NETTIE DEPP.

THOSE VALUES HAVE ECHOED THROUGH THE YEARS AND STILL GUIDE US TODAY.

THE SYMBOLISM ON THESE GROUNDS IS IMPORTANT.

AND SO ARE THE LESSONS THAT WE DRAW FROM IT.

BUT IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT WHAT YOU DON'T SEE HERE TODAY.

THERE IS AN EMPTY SPACE IN THE ROTUNDA WHERE THE STATUE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS ONCE STOOD.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE NOT ONLY INSTALLED THE CAPITOL'S FIRST FEMALE STATUE, WE ALSO REMOVED ONE THAT REPRESENTED DIVISION.

[APPLAUSE] OF COURSE, REMOVING A STATUE DOES NOT CHANGE HISTORY.

BUT WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT EVERY KENTUCKIAN, YOUNG AND OLD, MALE AND FEMALE, ALL COLORS, ALL FAITHS, DESERVE TO FEEL THEY BELONG IF THIS IS TRULY TO BE THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

NOW, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, OUR COMMONWEALTH HAS FACED HISTORIC TRAGEDY.

BUT MY FAITH IN KENTUCKY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

WE LOST OVER 19,000 OF OUR FELLOW KENTUCKIANS TO COVID.

TORNADOES DEVASTATED ENTIRE COMMUNITIES IN THE WEST.

AND FLOODING UPENDED COUNTLESS LIVES IN THE EAST.

IT WAS THE WORST OF MOTHER NATURE AND, YET, THE BEST OF HUMANITY.

WE FACED OUR CHALLENGES HEAD ON, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE DO AND WE NEVER BACKED DOWN BECAUSE THAT IS WHO WE ARE.

[APPLAUSE] I AM SO PROUD WE CHOSE OUR HEALTHCARE HEROS TO LEAD TODAY'S INAUGURAL PARADE BECAUSE DURING THE PANDEMIC YOU LED US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, TOO.

WE SEE YOU AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR WORK.

[APPLAUSE] AS THE PANDEMIC CAUSED US TO FEEL ANXIOUS, ISOLATED AND UNCERTAIN THE DISCUSSIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH TOOK CENTER STAGE.

NATIONALLY THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR PARENTS WAS AND IS THEIR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT I DID NOT LIKE THAT I ONLY HEARD ADULTS TALKING TO OTHER ADULTS ABOUT IT.

SO IN KENTUCKY WE BECAME A NATIONAL LEADER BY ELEVATING STUDENT VOICE.

OUR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE HAS DELIVERED 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO KENTUCKY FOR SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND WE ARE NOT DONE YET.

[APPLAUSE] TO THE STUDENT LEADERS JOINING US TODAY, WHO SERVED AS OUR NORTH STAR DURING THIS WORK, AS WELL AS THE COUNSELORS AND FAMILY RESOURCE COORDINATOR WHO PARTICIPATED IN TODAY'S PARADE, THANK YOU.

YOUR VOICES AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WORTH CELEBRATING.

AND THAT'S TRUE OF SO MANY KENTUCKIANS.

HISTORICALLY, AND TODAY, INCLUDING TOO MANY WHO DON'T ALWAYS GET THE RECOGNITION AND RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

FROM THE BEGINNING, GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND I HAVE SET OUT TO CHANGE THAT.

DURING OUR FIRST TERM, WE ASSEMBLED THE MOST DIVERSE CABINET IN KENTUCKY HISTORY.

MORE WOMEN AND MINORITIES HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN OUR FIRST FOUR YEARS THAN EVER BEFORE.

BECAUSE THE DECISIONS SHOULDN'T BE MADE ABOUT US WITHOUT US.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN WE TOOK OFFICE, THE KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON WOMEN WAS INACTIVE.

AND GOVERNOR BESHEAR ASKED ME TO REVIVE THIS INITIATIVE AND AS THE STATE'S HIGHEST ELECTED WOMAN I WAS HONORED TO DO SO.

THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2014, THE COMMISSION INDUCTED SEVEN DYNAMIC WOMEN FROM ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH INTO THE KENTUCKY WOMEN REMEMBERED HALL OF FAME.

AND THERE WILL BE MORE, BECAUSE REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT HAVE HELPED PAVE THE WAY TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

OUR RESPONSE TO TRAGEDY, OUR COMMITMENT TO LIFTING THE VOICES OF EVERY KENTUCKIAN, THAT HAS SHAPED A FUTURE BRIGHTER THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED POSSIBLE WHEN I STOOD HERE FOUR YEARS AGO.

THANKS TO HISTORIC ECONOMIC INVESTMENT UNPARALLELED JOB CREATION, AND RECORD BUDGET SURPLUSES, KENTUCKY RANKS NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

[APPLAUSE] AS A GIRL FROM BERGEN ONE OF THE SMALLEST TOWNS IN THE COMMONWEALTH THE NUMBER I AM MOST PROUD OF IS THAT KENTUCKY SKYROCKETED TO NUMBER THREE IN THE NATION IN RURAL JOB CREATION BECAUSE GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND I BELIEVE IN A KENTUCKY THAT LIFTS PEOPLE UP AND NOT ONE THAT LEAVES PEOPLE OUT.

AS WE PREPARED FOR TODAY'S INAUGURATION, I COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW WILL WE BE REMEMBERED IN THIS MOMENT?

AS THE GOVERNOR AND I REVISITED THE MEMORIES OF BOTH THE TRAGEDIES AND THE TRIUMPHS OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I REMEMBERED A SAYING I USED AS A BASKETBALL COACH.

IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU.

IT'S HOW YOU REACT TO IT THAT MATTERS.

AND THAT HELPED ME REALIZE IT WON'T BE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC OR HISTORIC TORNADOES OR CATASTROPHIC FLOODING THAT WILL DEFINE IT.

IT WILL BE HOW WE MOVED FORWARD TOGETHER.

WHAT I WILL REMEMBER ABOUT YOU, KENTUCKY, IS HOW YOU SACRIFICED FOR EACH OTHER THROUGH UNCERTAIN TIMES.

NEIGHBORS EVEN COMPLETE STRANGERS SHOWING UP FOR ONE ANOTHER IN WHAT HAD TO BE THE DARKEST HOUR FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

AND LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS FULFILLING OUR PROMISE TO BE THERE UNTIL EVERY STRUCTURE AND EVERY LIFE IS REBUILT.

THE GOODNESS OF OUR PEOPLE RESTORED MY FAITH IN HUMANITY OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SHOWING UP FOR ONE ANOTHER HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT.

AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT IT WAS IS WHAT WILL GUIDE OUR NEXT FOUR YEARS TOGETHER.

[APPLAUSE] OUR SERVICE HERE IS TOO SHORT TO BE WASTED ON PARTISANSHIP AND POLITICAL GAMES.

I THINK ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND HENRY CLAY WOULD AGREE.

AND I KNOW NETTIE DEPP WOULD AGREE THAT THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THIS STORY WE'RE WRITING TOGETHER SHOULDN'T BE ABOUT US.

IT SHOULD BE ABOUT PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF KENTUCKIANS TO HARNESS THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO CREATE FOR THEM.

BECAUSE, YES, OUR ECONOMY IS BOOMING.

BUT WE CANNOT LOSE SIGHT THAT THE FUTURE OF KENTUCKY'S ECONOMY IS IN OUR CLASSROOMS TODAY.

THANK YOU TO THE EDUCATORS WHO HELPED LEAD OUR PARADE TODAY JUST AS YOU LEAD YOUR COMMUNITIES EVERYDAY.

[APPLAUSE] WE CANNOT CONTINUE AS THE SECOND BEST STATE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF WE REMAIN 40TH IN TEACHER PAY.

[APPLAUSE] WE WILL NOT STAY NUMBER THREE IN RURAL JOB CREATION IF WE CONTINUE TO UNDER FUND THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN EVERY RURAL COMMUNITY AND THAT IS THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] FROM CRADLE TO CAREER, EDUCATION IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS DOORS FOR EVERY KENTUCKIANS AND HERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

ONCE WE WAVED THE GED TESTING FEE, OVER 8,000 KENTUCKIANS IMPROVED THEIR EDUCATION TO GET A JOB THAT WAS ONCE OUT OF REACH.

SO NOW LET'S TURN TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM.

OUR LITTLEST LEARNERS.

WE CANNOT CONTINUE THIS HISTORIC MOMENTUM IF OUR CHILDREN'S ZIP CODE DETERMINES THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD BY THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.

[APPLAUSE] NOW, THAT MIGHT SOUND HYPERBOLIC BUT FOLLOW ME HERE.

PRISON POPULATIONS ARE PROJECTED BY THIRD GRADE LITERACY RATES.

THIRD GRADE LITERACY RATES ARE PROJECTED BY KINDERGARTEN READINESS.

AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS IS PROJECTED BY ACCESS TO PRE-K. [APPLAUSE] QUITE LITERALLY, WE CAN INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE FRONT END OR WE WILL PAY FOR IT ON THE BACK END.

THE TIME FOR UNIVERSAL PRE-K IN KENTUCKY IS NOW.

[APPLAUSE] OUR EDUCATION FIRST ADMINISTRATION CHOSE AN INAUGURAL THEME LIKE FORWARD TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE KIND OF KENTUCKY OUR KIDS DESERVE.

AND THAT IS THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP VOTERS ASKED FOR.

I PLEDGE TO YOU, KENTUCKY, THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW UP AND EXTEND OUR HAND IN THE NAME OF PUTTING PEOPLE OVER POLITICS.

THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND I WILL CONTINUE TO SET AN EXAMPLE OF DECENCY AND KINDNESS THAT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF.

AND FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN US BECAUSE WE WILL NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I JACQUELINE COLEMAN DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR, THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> AND BE FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> AND BE FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> SO LOCKER AS I CONTINUE A CITIZEN THEREOF.

>> SO LONG AS I CONTINUE A CITIZEN THEREOF.

>> AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ACCORDING TO LAW.

>> THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ACCORDING TO LAW.

>> AND I DO FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> I DO FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> THAT SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION I BEING A STIPULATES OF THIS STATE.

>> I BEING A CITIZEN OF THIS STATE.

>> HAVE NOT FOUGHT A DUEL WITH DEADLY WEAPONS WITHIN THE STATE NOR OUT OF IT.

>> WITHIN THIS STATE NOR OUT OF IT.

>> NOR HAVE I SENT OR ACCEPTED A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT WITH DEADLY WEAPONS.

NOR HAVE I ACTED AS A SECOND IN CARRYING OUT A CHALLENGE.

>> NOR HAVE I ACTED AS A SECOND IN CARRYING OUT A CHALLENGE.

>> NOR AIDED OR ASSISTED ANY PERSON THAT IS OFFENDING.

>> NOR AIDED OR ASSISTED ANY PERSON THUS OFFENDING.

>> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> SO HELP ME GOD.

[APPLAUSE] FOLKS WHILE YOU ARE STANDING ONE MORE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

FOLKS YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A STATE WITH MORE HOMEGROWN MUSICAL TALENT THAN WE HAVE HERE RIGHT HERE IN KENTUCKY.

CLASSICS LIKE ROSEMARY CLOONEY, BILL MONROE, THE EVERLY BROTHERS, LIONEL HAMPTON.

THE MAJOR STARS OF TODAY LIKE JACK HARLOW, MY MORNING JACKET, AND NAPPY ROOTS, KENTUCKY PRODUCED A CROP OF DIVERSE MUSICAL SUPERSTARS.

THERE ARE MORE THAN I CAN MENTION.

AND THEY ARE FROM ALL ACROSS THIS GREAT COMMONWEALTH.

BUT THERE'S ONE AREA THAT MUST HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE WATER AND IT'S NOT WHITE LIGHTNING OKAY.

TAKE A DRIVE DOWN WHERE I LIVE, MY REGION OF EASTERN KENTUCKY.

TAKE A DRIVE DOWN HIGHWAY 23 AND FAR EASTERN KENTUCKY AND START COUNTING THE NAMES.

RICKY SKAGGS, LORETTA LYNN, BILLY RAY CYRUS, THE JUDDS, CHRIS STAPLETON, KEITH WITNESSLY, CRYSTAL GAIL AND THE WHITE YOLK UM ARE JUST A FEW.

THERE'S SO MANY SINGERS FROM THAT PART OF KENTUCKY THAT WE HAVE OFFICIALLY NAMED THAT HIGHWAY U.S. 23, THE COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY.

JUST ALONG THAT HIGHWAY IN LAWRENCE COUNTY A PLACE THAT I HAD THE GREAT HONOR OF REPRESENTING FOR OVER 30 YEARS OF MY LIFE.

SITS A SMALL COMMUNITY BY THE NAME OF KAZ KENTUCKY.

KAZ KENTUCKY JUST OUTSIDE OF LEWIS SA, IN-BETWEEN.

THAT'S WHERE MY GOOD FRIEND COMES FROM.

AND FROM KAZ AND LAWRENCE COUNTY, HE'S GONE AROUND THE WORLD TAKING KENTUCKY WITH HIM EVERYWHERE HE GOES.

HE MAKES ME, MAKES US AWFULLY PROUD AND HE'S HERE TO SING ONE OF OUR GOVERNOR'S FAVORITE SONGS.

PLEASE WELCOME KENTUCKY'S OWN AWARD-WINNING GRAMMY NOMINATED ARTIST AND MY GOOD FRIEND TYLER CHILDRESS.

[APPLAUSE] [♪♪] ♪UP POCAHONTAS IN THE CRANBERRY GLADES, THEY AIN'T GOT BARS NOR THE CHARGE CALLER ANYWAYS♪ ♪MY MIND IS A MILE A MINUTE AND MY THOUGHTS BARK LIKE HOUNDS♪ ♪I FOCUS ON MY BREATHING AND THE UNIVERSE'S SOUNDS♪ ♪I THINK ABOUT MY DARLING GIRL SLEEPING ALL ALONE♪ ♪I PRAY THE STARS WILL SHOOT HER ALL THE WISHES SHE CAN HOLD♪ ♪ON THE DAY THAT I RETURN I AIN'T LET HER DOWN♪ ♪RIGHT NOW I'M FOCUSED ON THE UNIVERSE'S SOUND♪ ♪ [♪♪] ♪I THINK ABOUT TOBACCO JUICE AND MASON JARS OF SHINE♪ ♪I THINK ABOUT THE VICES I'VE LET TAKE ME OVER TIME♪ ♪I RECALL WHEN I WAS A BABY I DIDN'T NEED NOTHING AROUND BUT A LITTLE BITTY RATTLER AND THE UNIVERSE'S SOUNDS♪ ♪I CLOSE MY EYES IT WAS ALL SO CLEAR♪ ♪IT WAS ALL RIGHT THEN, IT WAS ALL RIGHT HERE♪ ♪I FOCUS ON MY BREATHING AND THE UNIVERSITY SOUND♪ ♪I LET IT TAKE ME OVER FROM THE TOENAILS TO THE CROWN♪ ♪THE BODY THAT I'M IN TILL THEY PUT ME IN THE GROUND♪ ♪AND I RETURN TO THE CHORUS OF THE UNIVERSE'S SOUND♪ ♪I'VE BEEN UP ON THE MOUNTAIN AND I'VE SEEN ONE DISGRACE♪ ♪I'VE SAT ON A AMBASSADOR STOOL AND I'VE LOOKED HIM IN THE FACE♪ ♪HE SEEMED A LITTLE HAGERRED BUT IT DID NOT SLOW HIM DOWN♪ ♪HE WAS HUMMING TO THE NEON OR THE UNIVERSE'S SOUND♪ [♪♪] [APPLAUSE] YOU JUST GOT TO SEE THREE OUTSTANDING EASTERN KENTUCKY PERFORMERS.

LET'S GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> TYLER YOU AND YOUR BAND MAKE US PROUD.

TALK ABOUT TYLER, I GOT TO SAY THIS BAND HE TRAVELS WITH HIM THEY ARE FROM OUR NECK OF THE WOODS.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WE KNOW, THEY ARE COMMUNITIES THEY COME FROM AND TO WATCH THIS TALENT YOU HAVE SEEN TODAY IS SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE.

ONE MORE TIME FOR THESE PERFORMERS, A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE] TYLER THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND FOR THAT GREAT SONG.

FOUR YEARS AGO, WILL AND LILA BESHEAR WERE 10 AND NINE YEARS OLD AND THEY DID SOMETHING THAT I KNOW I COULD NOT HAVE DONE AT THAT AGE.

THEY STOOD HERE AT THIS VERY PODIUM AND INTRODUCED THEIR MOTHER OUR FIRST LADY.

LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR OUR FIRST LADY.

[APPLAUSE] AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY ARE BOTH TEENAGERS NOW.

AND MAN, I TELL YOU THEY ARE HANDSOME AND BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[APPLAUSE] THEY ARE HERE WITH US AND THEY ARE BACK TO DO IT AGAIN.

LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR WILL AND LILA BESHEAR.

[APPLAUSE] >> FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY WE STOOD RIGHT HERE WHERE WE ARE STANDING NOW.

COLD, AND NERVOUS FOR WHAT OUR FUTURE WOULD HOLD.

>> FIRST THE PANDEMIC.

THEN TORNADOES.

ICE STORMS AND FLOODS.

PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES MANY LOST PEOPLE THEY LOVED.

>> LUCKILY -- SORRY.

LUCKILY WE HAD SOMEONE TO LEAD THE COMMONWEALTH DURING THESE CHALLENGES.

>> SOMEONE WHO CARED AND WORKED TO DO OUR BEST EVERYDAY.

OUR DAD.

>> WE WATCHED HIM STEP UP AND HELP THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

HE WAS ON TV EVERYDAY KEEPING US ALL UP-TO-DATE SO WE COULD STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY.

DURING THESE TIMES, WE WERE ALL REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING ONE ANOTHER.

>> OUR DAD SHOWED HOW MUCH HE LOVED EVERY KEN GWENNIAN AND HIS FRIEND HAS LED US TO BETTER TIMES AND THROUGH ALL THE TOUGH DAYS HE STILL MADE TIME TO JUST BE DAD.

THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF FUN MEMORIES.

>> WE USED TO GO TO SATURDAY MORNING BRUSHES WITH HIM.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE MEMORIES IS US PLAYING HORSE FOR HOURS ON END.

>> OVER THESE PAST FOUR YEARS, BOTH GOOD AND BAD, OUR DAD WAS THERE FOR ALL OF US.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE.

>> EVEN DURING THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES HE MADE TIME TO GO TO MY BASEBALL GAMES, BASKETBALL GAMES AND ATTEND SCHOOL EVENTS.

>> AND HE STILL MADE TIME TO COME TO MY HORSE SHOWS.

>> DAD MADE US SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY.

WE WATCHED MOVIES, WALKED DOWNTOWN TO THE BAKERY AND PLAYED BOARD GAMES.

WE COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF OUR DAD AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE HIM WITH ALL OF KENTUCKY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> TO EVERYONE HERE HE IS GOVERNOR BESHEAR OR AS MANY CALL HIM ANDY BUT TO WILL, WINNIE AND ME HE'S DAD.

AND DURING THESE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE ALSO SHARED OUR MOM.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE MADE THE DAYS AT HOME A LOT MORE FUN.

SHE HELPED US LEARN AND KEEP UP WITH SCHOOL WORK AND ALSO KEPT OUR SPIRITS UP.

>> I REMEMBER ONE DAY WE SETUP AN AMERICAN GLADIATORS COURSE FOR WINNIE.

>> WE HAD FRIDAY MOVIE DAYS WITH POPCORN AND HOT CHOCOLATE.

>> WHEN SCHOOL RETURNED TO IN-PERSON LEARNING OUR MOM TURNED TO COLLECTING MASKS TO HELP MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD COULD STAY SAFE AT SCHOOL.

MORE THAN A MILLION WERE DONATED AND MANY WERE HANDMADE.

>> WHEN THE TORNADOES HIT WESTERN KENTUCKY WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS WE WATCHED OUR MOM WORK TO COLLECT TOYS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY FOR CHILDREN WHO JUST LOST EVERYTHING.

[APPLAUSE] >> WHEN FLOODING DEVASTATED EASTERN KENTUCKY SHE DID THE SAME FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

>> WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF JOINING HER TO HELP SURVIVORS CHOOSE FROM MORE THAN 100,000 TOYS AND GIFT CARDS THAT POURED IN FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND COUNTRY.

IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS WE EVER HAD.

HELPING OTHERS.

WE HAVE MET SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY WHO HAVE SHAPED HOW WE SEE THE WORLD.

>> WE HAVE ALSO JOINED MOM AT SO MANY PLACES AROUND THE STATE LIKE FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE, DARE TO IRKA, COMMUNITY KITCHEN AND GOD'S PANTRY.

SHE HAS TAUGHT US THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK, HELPING OUR COMMUNITY AND CARING FOR OTHERS.

OUR MOM, ESPECIALLY, CARES FOR ALL KENTUCKY CHILDREN AND SPENDS TIME SPREADING KINDNESS AT SCHOOLS.

>> MOM, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR US.

AND FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR KENTUCKY'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

SO WITH THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOUR FIRST LADY AND OUR AMAZING MOM, BRITAINY BESHEAR.

[APPLAUSE] >> DO I DROP THE MIC NOW?

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

LOVE WINS OVER HATE.

[APPLAUSE] ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED IS THAT IT IS BEST TO LISTEN WITH OPEN EARS AND AN OPEN HEART.

WHEN I DO, THE WORLD AROUND ME BECOMES A MORE BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND AS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVE MET WITH AND LISTENED TO KENTUCKIANS AS THEY TELL THEIR STORIES.

SOME OF THESE ARE STORIES OF SURVIVAL.

A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, I VIVIDLY REMEMBER STANDING IN DAWSON SPRINGS ON THE FRONT PORCH OF A FAMILY'S HOME THAT HAD BEEN DESTROYED.

MELISSA THE MOM TOLD ME HER SON ETHAN SHOULD HAVE HAD HIS BIRTHDAY PARTY THAT DAY AND THEY HAD TO CANCEL HER DAUGHTER'S DANCE RECITAL.

AS MELISSA DESCRIBED THE HORROR OF PREVIOUS 24 HOURS SHE KEPT COMING BACK TO A REFRAIN OF HOPE AND LOVE.

SHE SAID "WE ARE ALIVE.

WE WILL BE OKAY.

"DESPITE ALL THAT HAPPENED MELISSA'S HEART WAS FILLED WITH LOVE.

MELISSA EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF KENTUCKIANS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

I'M SO GLAD I WAS THERE TO LISTEN WITH OPEN EARS AND AN OPEN HEART AND I'M BLESSED TO THIS DAY WITH HER FRIENDSHIP.

AND THE FACE OF ALL OF OUR CHALLENGES, OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN RESILIENT.

I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATE LISTENING TO AND LEARNING FROM OUR CHILDREN.

THEY ARE VERY INQUISITIVE AND THEY HAVE GREAT IMAGINATIONS.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH, ASK A CHILD.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO AS FIRST LADY IS TO VISIT OUR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN AND READ A GOOD BOOK.

NOT ONLY DO I ENJOY SNEAKING IN AN EXTRA STORE I ARE, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO JUST CHAT.

IT USUALLY TAKES ONE BRAVE STUDENT TO GET THE BALL ROLLING AND ALL BETS ARE OFF.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED EVERYTHING FROM HOW OLD I AM, WHAT DOES THE FIRST LADY DO, WHAT IS MY FAVORITE COLOR, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHAT DOES WINNIE LIKE TO DO.

THIS QUESTION LEADS TO IN-DEPTH STORIES ABOUT FAMILY PETS.

NO QUESTION IS OFF LIMITS, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT EACH CHILD FEELS SEEN AND THAT WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY MATTERS.

I REMEMBER ONE LITTLE GIRL WHO AFTER READING PETE THE CAT SAVES CHRISTMAS ASKED ME WHY AFTER SANTA GOT SICK AND COULDN'T DELIVER THE PRESENTS DID HE ASK PETE THE CAT TO HELP AND NOT MRS. MRS. CLAUS.

THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

IT WAS INNOCENT, BUT IT HAD REALLY INSIGHTFUL UNDERTONES.

I ONLY HOPE THAT I ANSWERED THOUGHTFULLY ENOUGH TO HELP THAT CHILD AND ALL THE CHILDREN IN HER CLASS POSITIVELY EXPAND THEIR VIEWS OF THE WORLD.

I SHARE THESE STORIES TO REMIND US HOW JUST BEING THERE AND LISTENING SHOWING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION CAN HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON SOMEONE'S DAY AND LIFE.

ANDY UNDERSTANDS THIS.

SURE.

THE ROLE OF A IS TO RUN STATE GOVERNMENT BUT IT'S HOW A GOVERNOR CHOOSES TO ACT AND CHOOSES TO LEAD THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

WHILE HE HAS BROUGHT IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHAT HAS BEEN MOST IMPORTANT FOR HIM IS TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE THAT A GOOD-PAYING STABLE JOB HAS ON OUR FAMILIES.

I'VE ALSO WATCHED ANDY HOLD PEOPLE TIGHT AS THEY PROCESSED LOSING THEIR HOME AND PEOPLE THEY LOVE.

I HAVE SEEN HIM GIVE THE COAT OFF OF HIS BACK TO A WOMAN STANDING IN THE FREEZING COLD FOLLOWING THE TORNADOES.

WE LISTENED AS HE READ LISTS OF KENTUCKIANS WE LOST TO THE PANDEMIC.

HE READ THOSE LISTS EACH AND EVERYDAY BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THOSE INDIVIDUALS DESERVED TO BE MOURNED AND REMEMBERED BY THEIR COMMUNITIES.

HE ALSO ASKED EVERYONE TO LIGHT UP THEIR HOMES WITH GREEN LIGHTS TO HONEST AUTHORIZE THOSE LOST AND SHOW THE FAMILIES THEY WERE NOT ALONE.

AND IN FACT, IT HELPED ME TO KNOW THAT WE WERE NOT ALONE.

THESE ACTIONS WERE ALL REMINDERS THAT THE ONLY WAY WE WERE GOING TO GET THROUGH THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC WAS TO GET THROUGH IT TOGETHER.

ANDY'S WORDS AND ACTIONS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS ARE REMINDERS THAT HE LEADS WITH LOVE.

ANDY IS HELPING TO BUILD A COMMONWEALTH WHERE THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HATE, DIVISION OR MARGINALIZING INDIVIDUALS SIMPLY FOR BEING DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE RELIED ON OUR FAITH, WHICH TEACHES US THAT EVERY PERSON IS OUR NEIGHBOR.

[APPLAUSE] THE MAIN ROLE OF HIS GOVERNORSHIP IS TO HELP KENTUCKIANS LIVE FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES TO SET AN EXAMPLE THAT EVERY PERSON DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY.

WE CHOOSE LOVE OVER HATE.

WE CHOOSE TO LISTEN.

AND WE CHOOSE TO HELP.

HELP KENTUCKIANS ACCESS QUALITY HEALTHCARE, SECURE GOOD JOBS AND A WORLD CLASS PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT LIFTS UP ALL OUR CHILDREN AND FEEDS THEIR INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY.

I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED US BUILD THAT BETTER KENTUCKY WE WANT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

MINE AND YOURS.

TO THOSE HERE IN FRANKFORT WHO WELCOMED US WITH OPEN ARMS, THANK YOU.

YOU'VE EMBRACED WILL AND LILA HAS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND HELPED THEM TO THRIVE.

THE FRIENDS WE HAVE MADE AND THE KINDNESS OF THIS COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EACH AND EVERYDAY.

TO ALL THE KENTUCKIANS WHO LENGTH THEIR SUPPORT I AM REMINDED SOMETHING THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID TO THIS PLACE AND THE KINDNESS OF THESE PEOPLE, I OWE EVERYTHING.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO CONTINUE TO CALL FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY HOME AND NOW, I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE MY HUSBAND WILL AND LILA'S DAD AND YOUR GOVERNOR, ANDY BESHEAR.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE GATHERED HERE IN FRANKFORT AND TO ALL OF OUR KENTUCKY FAMILIES WATCHING AT HOME.

I AM HONORED THAT IN A MINUTE, I WILL TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

[APPLAUSE] SERVING IN THIS ROLE IS A SPECIAL DUTY, A SOLEMN COMMITMENT.

IT IS AN OBLIGATION I ACCEPT WITH GREAT REFERENCE AND HUMILITY, BUT ALSO WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION.

I STAND HERE TODAY ENTHUSIASTIC AND HOPEFUL FOR ALL WE WILL ACCOMPLISH FOR THIS COMMONWEALTH.

OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WE WILL CONTINUE OUR RECORD-BREAKING ECONOMIC WIN STREAK.

AND CREATE THE GOOD-PAYING JOBS THAT WILL PROVIDE A BRIGHT AND PROMISING FUTURE FOR EVERY SINGLE KENTUCKY CHILD.

WE WILL INVEST IN OUR EDUCATORS.

[APPLAUSE] WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD WHAT WERE THOUGHT TO BE IMPOSSIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND WE WILL RUN HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO EVERY HOME IN KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] WE WILL KEEP OUR PROMISE TO COUNTIES AND COMMUNITIES DEVASTATED BY NATURAL DISASTERS BY NOT JUST REBUILDING BUT REVITALIZING.

YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND I WILL BE THERE PERSONALLY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

WE LOVE YOU.

AND WE WILL GET THE JOB DONE.

[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO THANK THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR HER LEADERSHIP.

[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS STEVE AND JANE BESHEAR.

[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO THANK MY THREE FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, BRITAINY, WILL, AND LILA.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN YOU'RE GOVERNOR, YOU DON'T YOU CAN'T LEAVE YOUR JOB IN THE OFFICE.

IT FOLLOWS YOU HOME.

MY FAMILY HAS HELPED BEAR THE WEIGHT OF OUR MOST DIFFICULT DAYS.

I LOVE EACH OF YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] I WANT TO RECOGNIZE GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON ONE OF THREE, TWO CONSECUTIVE TERM GOVERNORS WHO IS HERE WITH US TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] AND MY BUDDY GOVERNOR TIM WALTZ FROM MINNESOTA IS JOINING US HERE IN KENTUCKY TODAY.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON OUR CAMPAIGN OR IN STATE GOVERNMENT OVER THESE PAST FOUR YEARS.

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO PUT THEIR FAITH IN MY LEADERSHIP THROUGH THEIR VOTE.

I RECOGNIZE THAT TODAY WE'RE MISSING TOMMY ELLIOT, VIRGINIA MOORE AND SO MANY OTHER LOVED ONES.

AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE NOW LOST THREE FORMER GOVERNORS, GOVERNORS BROWN, JONES AND CAROL.

BUT I KNOW THAT THEY ARE CELEBRATING WITH US TODAY AND THAT WE WILL SEE THEM AGAIN.

[APPLAUSE] TODAY'S CEREMONY IS THAT WHAT WE CALL OUR NEW STATE CAPITOL, WHICH IS JUST OLD ENOUGH TO NEED A MASSIVE RENOVATION.

STILL, THIS AWESOME STRUCTURE IS MUCH YOUNGER THAN OUR 231-YEAR-OLD COMMONWEALTH.

IT WAS IN DECEMBER OF 1792 OUR FIRST YEAR, THE UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL BECAME OUR STATE MOTTO AND IT'S BEEN WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

OUR PEOPLE LIKE THE MOTTO HAVE BEEN TESTED OVER TWO CENTURIES BY WARS, DEPRESSIONS AND RECESSIONS AND THE NOBLE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE FACED OUR OWN TESTS.

EACH WE HAVE MET WITH LOVE, COMPASSION, AND EMPATHY.

WHEN WE FACED THE PANDEMIC WE SACRIFICED FOR EACH OTHER.

WE CAME TOGETHER EVERYDAY AT 4 OR 5:00 P.M., AND WE SHINED GREEN LIGHTS ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH AS THE COLOR OF COMPASSION.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR HEALTHCARE HEROS WHO HELPED US THROUGH THAT DEADLY TIME.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN TORNADOES LEVELED TOWNS AND FLOODING CARRIED AWAY HOMES AND LOVED ONES, WE CAME TOGETHER, NEIGHBORS PULLING NEIGHBORS FROM THEIR BASEMENTS, OR CARRYING FELLOW KENTUCKIANS THROUGH THE CURRENT.

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL GUARD AND FIRST-RESPONDERS FOR THEIR AMAZING RESPONSE.

[APPLAUSE] AND TO THE KENTUCKIANS THAT STILL TODAY ARE FEEDING AND HELPING THOSE IN NEED.

I MADE A PROMISE TO BE THERE TO REBUILD EVERY HOME AND EVERY LIFE AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT THROUGH.

WITH NOW SEVEN HIGH GROUND COMMUNITIES RISING IN THE EAST AND OVER 150 FULLY CONSTRUCTED NEW HOMES FOR OUR FAMILIES IN THE WEST.

WE TRULY GET THROUGH THE HARD TIMES.

AND WE GET THROUGH THEM TOGETHER.

BUT WE ALSO GET TO THE GOOD TIMES AND WE GET TO THOSE TOGETHER AS WELL.

IN OUR FIRST FOUR YEARS, WE SECURED THE BEST YEARS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

[APPLAUSE] WITH THE HELP OF AN INCREDIBLE TRANSPORTATION CABINET WE ARE BUILDING THE BRENT SPENCE COMPANION BRIDGE WITHOUT TOLLS.

[APPLAUSE] GOVERNOR PATTON WE ARE FOUR-LANING THE ENTIRE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY.

[APPLAUSE] AND TO THOSE IN THE WEST WE ARE PUSHING THE I69 PROJECT FORWARD.

WE SECURED FEDERAL FUNDING TO RUN HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO EVERY COMMUNITY.

WE'RE BUILDING A TWO BIGGEST BATTERY PLANTS ON PLANET EARTH AND OPENED THE CLEANEST RECYCLE PAPER MILL IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE HAD THE BEST YEARS ON RECORD FOR OUR BOURBON AND OUR TOURISM INDUSTRIES.

WE HAVE RECORD-HIGH BUDGET SURPLUSES AND RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT.

WE'VE NOW CREATED OVER 50,000 NEW JOBS.

AND GENERATED A STATE RECORD $28.5 BILLION IN NEW PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.

WE'VE PASSED SPORTS BETTING AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE'VE KEPT THE COSTS OF INSULIN AND HEALTHCARE IS NOW EXPANDING ALL OVER THE COMMONWEALTH, INCLUDING THE TACK WE'RE BUILDING THE FIRST HOSPITAL IN WEST LOUISVILLE IN 150 YEARS.

IT'S ABOUT TIME.

PUT SIMPLY WE ARE AT A MOMENT IN TIME WHERE THE TRUE POTENTIAL IS THERE TO ACHIEVE OUR COLLECTIVE DREAM, THE DREAM OF A BETTER KENTUCKY.

AND WE CAN.

AND WE SHOULD REALIZE THAT DREAM IF WE DON'T STAND IN OUR OWN WAY.

SEE, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGES WE HAVE BEFORE US IS THAT POLITICS AND SOMETIMES EVEN OUR GOVERNANCE HAS BECOME POISON NEWS AND TOXIC.

WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS HAS DEVOLVED INTO GRIEVANCES AND ATTACKS.

SOME APPEAR TO THINK IT'S JUST A GAME, THAT NO TARGET IS OFF LIMITS THAT NO LIE IS TOO BIG, TOO HURTFUL.

WE SEE STRATEGIES AND COMMERCIALS MEANT TO MAKE ONE AMERICAN, ONE KENTUCKIANS INTO AN ENEMY OF ANOTHER.

TRYING TO ACCUSE HEM OF HORRIBLE THINGS TO DEHUMANIZE THEM AS TO SOMEHOW JUSTIFY ANGER AND EVEN HATE.

TURNING PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR NEIGHBORS, WHY?

JUST SO WE CAN ELECT ONE MORE OFFICIAL WITH A CERTAIN LETTER BEHIND THEIR NAME.

IT'S NOT -- I RAN FOR OFFICE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT MY KIDS DESERVE A BETTER WORLD AND I BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD OF THE COMMONWEALTH DESERVES THAT BETTER WORLD.

I'M TELLING YOU THIS IS OUR CHANCE.

THIS IS KENTUCKY'S CHANCE TO BE THE DIFFERENCE.

TO BE BOTH AN ECONOMIC AND A MORAL LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY.

SO WE MUST FACE THIS CHALLENGE THE SAME WAY WE ALWAYS DO.

TOGETHER.

TOGETHER WE WILL NOT MEET HATE WITH HATE OR ANGER WITH ANGER OR EVEN FRUSTRATION WITH FRUSTRATION.

INSTEAD, WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME LOVE AND EMPATHY AND COMPASSION THAT HAS GUIDED US THROUGH SO MUCH.

FOR ME, THESE VALUES ARE GROUNDED IN MY FAITH.

IT TEACHES ME TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF.

TO NOT JUDGE LEST I BE JUDGE THAT I DO TO HE.

MY FAITH TEACHES ME THAT ALL HUMAN BEINGS DESERVE TRUE DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER BY SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT OUR FAITH AND VALUES CALL ON US TO BE BETTER.

AND FOR ME, REMEMBERING THAT MY SAVIOR COULD HAVE BEEN THE PRINCE OF POWER BUT HE CHOSE TO BE THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

I PLEDGE TODAY TO CONTINUE TO BE A GOVERNOR THAT SERVES ALL OUR PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR PARTY, AND REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU VOTED FOR.

I WILL DO MY BEST EVERYDAY TO STOP THE FIGHTING, TO PUSH AWAY THE DIVISION, TO REMIND US THAT WE HAVE MORE THAT UNITES US THAN CAN EVER PULL US APART AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I PLEDGE TO WORK TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY GENERATION THAT COMES AFTER US.

RIGHT NOW, THE EYES OF THE COUNTRY ARE ON US.

THEY ARE ON KENTUCKY.

AND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE OUR CHANCE TO LEAD.

AND TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

THANK YOU.

GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE THE CONSTITUTIONAL OATH OF OFFICE?

>> I AM.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR RIGHT HAND UP.

>> YES, MA'AM.

I WAS READY.

>> REPEAT AFTER ME.

I ANDY BESHEAR, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> I ANDY BESHEAR DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COMMONWEALTH.

>> AND TO BE FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF GWEN KEN.

>> AND TO BE FAITHFUL AND TRUE TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> AS LONG AS I CONTINUE A CITIZEN THEREOF.

>> AS LONG AS I CONTINUE A CITIZEN THEREOF.

>> AND TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

>> AND TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

>> THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ACCORDING TO LAW.

>> THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ACCORDING TO LAW.

>> AND I DO FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

>> AND I DO FURTHER SOLEMNBY SWEAR.

>> SINCE AT DON'TION OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION.

>> SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION.

>> I HAVE NOT FOUGHT A DUEL WITH DEADLY WEAPONS WITHIN THIS STATE OR OUT OF IT.

>> I HAVE NOT HAVE FOUGHT A DUEL WITH DEADLY WEAPONS WITHIN A STATE OR OUT OF IT.

>> NOR HAVE I SENT OR ACCEPTED A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT A DUEL WITH DEADLY WEAPONS.

>> NOR HAVE I ACTED AS SECOND IN CARRYING A CHALLENGE.

>> NOR HAVE I ACTED AS SECOND IN CARRYING A CHALLENGE.

>> NOR AIDED OR ASSISTED ANY PERSON THUS OFFENDING.

>> NOR AIDED OR ASSISTED ANY PERSON THUS OFFENDING.

>> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, GOVERNOR.

[APPLAUSE] [♪♪] [♪♪] HERE TO DELIVER OUR BENEDICTION, PLEASE WELCOME THE PASTOR OF LOUISVILLE'S BATES MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH, Dr. F. BRUISE BRUISE -- Dr. F. BRUCE WILLIAMS.

>> I HATE TO DISAPPOINT EVERYBODY I'M NOT THE PASTOR.

BUT TO THE PILOTS OF YOUR KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD IF YOU WILL GIVE THEM A HAND.

[APPLAUSE] AND SO GOVERNOR BESHEAR, WE ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND WE WANTED TO PRESENT WITH YOU A CASING FROM ONE OF THE CANNONS THAT YOU JUST HEARD FIRE IN CO-METROPOLITANRATION OF YOUR ROLE AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF AS THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD.

AGAIN WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, GENERAL.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

OUR BENEDICTION IS A BLESSING, SO RECEIVE THIS BLESSING.

THE LORD BLESS THEE AND KEEP THEE.

THE LORD MAKE US FACE SHINE UPON THEE AND BE GRAY HUSBAND UNTO THEE.

THE LORD LIFT UP UPON AND GIVE THEE PEACE.

AND GIVE THEE PEACE AND GIVE THEE PEACE.

IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

[♪♪] ♪THE SUNSHINES BRIGHTON MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME♪ ♪'TIS SUMMER THE PEOPLE ARE GAY♪ ♪THE CORN TOPS RIPE AND THE LENTILS IN THE BLOOM♪ ♪WHILE THE BIRDS MAKE MUSIC ALL THE DAY♪ ♪THE YOUNG FOLK ROLL ON THE LITTLE CABIN FLOOR♪ ♪A MERRY AND HAPPY AND BRIGHT♪ ♪BYE-BYE OUR HARD TIMES COME KNOCKING AT THE DOOR♪ MSK THEN MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME GOOD NIGHT♪ ♪WE [♪♪] [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR INAGORATION OF GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN.

PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR SEATS UNTIL ESCORTED FROM THE PLATFORM.

MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CAPITOL.

GOOD AFTERNOON I'M RENEE SHAW AND THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC SWEARING IN PORTION OF TODAY'S 62nd GUBERNATORIAL INAGORATION I'M WITH REILLY BARTON A SENIOR EDITOR WITH THE SENIOR TEAM.

YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE SPEECHES YOU HEARD TODAY BOTH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK A LOT OF IT WAS TRYING TO CONVEY A SENSE OF UNITY COMING OUT OF THIS ELECTION AND GOING INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT ALSO THERE WAS A LITTLE POLITICS AS WELL.

ESPECIALLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S REMARKS KIND OF TRYING TO TAMP DOWN OR WARNING PEOPLE ABOUT POLITICAL RHETORIC AND SAYING THAT THAT'S SOMETHING EVERYBODY HAS SEEN AND THEY ARE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE BEYOND SOME OF THAT.

I THINK AT LEAST ON MY MIND WERE A LOT OF FOLKS SEEING THE GOVERNOR AND SPEAKING IN THIS MOMENT WHAT IS NEXT, WHAT DOES HE SAY AND HOW DOES THIS IS THIS ON A PATH TO SOMETHING ELSE?

HE DID SAY TOWARDS THE END OF THE SPEECH THE COUNTRY WAS WATCHING KENTUCKY.

AND I THINK IT'S WATCHING KENTUCKY AFTER THIS LAST ELECTION, IT'S JUST VERY NOTABLE FOR A DEMOCRAT TO HAVE WON EASILY IN A REPUBLICAN STATE AS KENTUCKY HAS BECOME POLITICALLY REPUBLICAN MAYBE NOT IN TERMS OF PARTY REGISTRATION.

A LITTLE MORE REPUBLICAN HAD THAN DEMOCRAT.

BUT WE LOOK AT U.S. SENATE RACES AND LOOK HOW KENTUCKIANS VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND IT'S NOTABLE FOR A DEMOCRAT TO HAVE WON A STATE-WIDE ELECTION HERE.

I THINK HE IS USING THIS MOMENT SHOWING HE IS A STATE-WIDE OFFICIAL WHO CAN SUCCEED IN THE STATE LIKE KENTUCKY BY PUTTING SOME OF THAT PARTISANSHIP TO THE SIDE AND IT WORKED FOR HIM.

THERE IS A LOT OF FACTORS IN WHAT WHO ANDY BESHEAR IS THE FACT HE IS THE SON OF A TWO-TERM GOVERNOR A RECENT TWO-TERM GOVERNOR.

IN THAT HE WAS AT THE HELM OF THE STATE DURING SUCH A PERIOD OF EMERGENCIES WHERE PEOPLE LOOKED TO HIM AS BEING THIS NONPARTISAN OFFICIAL TO JUST TELL PEOPLE WHAT IS GOING ON WHEN THINGS ARE REALLY SCARY WHETHER IT IS A TORNADO OR FLOODING OR THE CORONAVIRUS.

A LOT OF WHAT HIS SPEECH WAS TALKING TOWARDS THAT AND THE SPEECHES AROUND HIM.

AND EVEN GOING BACK TO CYLUS HOUSE'S POEM TALKING ABOUT DISASTERS, ABOUT AND TORNADOES AND FLOODS AND HOW WE NEED TO LOOK TO THE FIRST-RESPONDERS THE HELPERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT'S ALL IN THE VIBE THAT THE GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS GOING FOR.

>> Renee: AND IT'S BEEN A PART OF THE DAY, THE THEME FORWARD COMA, KENTUCKY WE SAW IT DURING THE PARADE TODAY THAT THE GRAND MARSHALS OF THE PARADE WERE THE FIRST-RESPONDERS, THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, UNION WORKERS A THEME AROUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHERE YOU HAD BLUE OVAL SK VEHICLE THERE IN THE PARADE.

FORD.

REALLY TOUTING THE ECONOMIC WINS WHILE CELEBRATING THOSE WHO HELPED THE GOVERNOR DURING TIMES OF DISASTER AND CRISIS.

IT'S INTERESTING HOW AS HE DID DURING THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL HE DID TAKE CREDIT FOR THE ECONOMIC WINS AS HE'S BEEN NOTED TO DO TALKING ABOUT $25.8 BILLION OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.

AND PERHAPS SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE WE KNOW THE SENATE PRESIDENT WAS THERE, WE CAN'T SEE WHO ELSE IS THERE.

BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY RECEIVED THAT.

THEY'VE HEARD IT BEFORE, BUT, OF COURSE, THAT COULD BE LAYING BATTLEGROUND LINES THERE.

>> RIGHT.

THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY THAT ALL THESE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS ARE DUE TO ECONOMIC POLICIES PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN RECENT YEARS AND FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR BEVIN'S TERM.

IT IS A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.

EXECUTIVES PLAY A BIG ROLE GOVERNORS PLAY A BIG ROLE IN LANDING THE DEALS.

MAKING THOSE INCENTIVE PACKAGES FOR THE COMPANIES TO MOVE IN.

AND I THINK THERE'S NOWHERE MORE EVIDENT THAN IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT PEOPLE FROM BOTH PARTIES THEY WANT TO BE THERE, TO HELP TAKE CREDIT FOR IT.

AND THOSE POLITICAL FIGHTS WILL NEVER STOP THEY WILL CONTINUE ON AND ON AND EVERYBODY WILL FIGHT OVER CREDIT FOR THESE THINGS.

I THOUGHT ANOTHER INTERESTING POLICY ISSUE THAT CAME UP IN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN'S SPEECH WAS ABOUT PRE-K AND LEANING INTO RAISING TEACHER PAY.

THAT WAS ANOTHER A MOMENT WHICH I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE SENATE PRESIDENT REACTION TO THAT.

BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN A STARTER IN THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT GOVERNOR BESHEAR HAS CONTINUED TO PUSH IT FORWARD.

AND WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S MORE TRACTION FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT GOING INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I THINK THE SENATE PRESIDENT LIKED TO CALL IT DAYCARE I HEAR THAT FROM THE REPUBLICANS TO BE A DAYCARE NOT A COMPETITOR TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WE'LL SO SEE HOW THAT SHAKES OUT.

THERE'S MORE COVERAGE TO COME HERE AT 6:00 P.M., IS THE GRAND MARCH WHEN THEY ARE OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED AND THEY'VE BEEN INTRODUCED BEING ALREADY IN OFFICE, BUT IT IS A CEREMONY WHERE IT'S GRAND AND THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA THEY WILL BE IN AND THE STAIRCASE OF THE SENATE CHAMBERS IS GLORIOUS WITH ALL THE BOTANICALS AND THE FRAGRANCES ARE MESMERIZING.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD DAY WE ARE FINISHING UP THE DAY OF CELEBRATION AND UNITY AND THE HARD WORK OF GOVERNING AGAIN BEGINS TOMORROW IF NOT BEFORE.

AND SO WE'RE IN A BUDGET SESSION THIS YEAR.

AND THERE'S SOME FLUSH COFFERS $3.7 BILLION CASH ON HAND.

WHO KNOWS WHO WANTS TO DO WHAT WITH WHAT AND SAVE SOME OF IT.

WE HEARING THE BUDGET WILL BE THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF THIS SESSION.

>> AS IT SHOULD BE EVERY TWO YEARS WHEN THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED TO PASS A BUDGET.

WE HAVE THIS INTERESTING DYNAMIC IN KENTUCKY WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR WITH A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND IT'S SO EASY TO OVERRIDE A GOVERNOR'S VETO IN KENTUCKY.

YOU ONLY NEED A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS IN EACH CHAMBER TO OVERRIDE A GOVERNOR'S VETO.

AS LONG AS REPUBLICANS CAN STAY IN LINE, AND STRING TOGETHER A MAJORITY OF VOTES IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO GET THEIR AGENDA ACROSS.

GRANTED THE GOVERNOR IS STILL IN CHARGE OF EXUTING WHAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSES.

AND I DO KNOW THAT EVEN IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC YEARS, THE LAWMAKERS WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON SOME OF THOSE ELEMENTS AND ESPECIALLY WITH DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WHEN THERE WAS A LOT OF RELIEF MONEY FLOWING THROUGH STATE GOVERNMENT THEY HAD TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO DO THAT.

WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT TIME NOW.

A LOT OF THAT FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY IS STARTING TO RUN OUT.

STATES LIKE KENTUCKY ARE STARTING TO HAVE TO PLAN FOR A FUTURE OF HOW TO CONTINUE FUNDING STATE SERVICES WITHOUT THAT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION, I THINK ANOTHER PART OF IT, TOO IS KENTUCKY'S BEEN IN FLUSH TIMES FINANCIALLY NOW, BUT AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD NONE OF THOSE WE ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO HAVE A SURPLUS EVERY YEAR.

AND AS LAWMAKERS HAVE CONTINUED TO ALTER THE STATE'S REVENUE GENERATING APPARATUS IS TAXES, THE STATE'S GOT A LOT OF THINKING TO DO HOW IT MAKES ITS MONEY AND WHAT TO SPEND IT ON.

THOSE WILL BE BIG DISCUSSIONS AND AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, K-12 EDUCATION IS CENTRAL TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING FOR TRYING TO GET TEACHER RAISES AND TRYING TO EXPAND WHAT SCHOOLS ARE ABLE TO DO.

TRYING TO GUARANTEE THAT THERE ARE RAISES FOR TEACHERS.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WILL SAY WELL WE'VE INCREASED FUNDING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE FUNDING FORMULA.

BUT THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS FLOW DOWN INTO EXACT RAISES.

WE'LL SEE THE GOVERNOR MIGHT BE PROPOSING GUARANTEES FOR THAT THIS TIME AND WE'LL SEE IF REPUBLICANS TAKE IT UP.

>> AND SCHOOL CHOICE WILL BE AN ISSUE SINCE THE RULING YESTERDAY BY THE JUDGE.

AND WE'LL SEE IF THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION VOTERS WOULD HAVE TO VOTE FOR IT.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING THINGS THAT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE THAT DIVIDES REPUBLICANS.

THEY HAVE ABOUT 80% OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET 50% OF VOTES ON SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> DID THE GOVERNOR MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION THAT TODAY ARE YOU SURPRISED HE DIDN'T?

>> I GUESS I AM.

THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MOMENT.

IT DID SEEM LIKE HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID REALLY LEANING INTO DIVISIVE POLITICS AND BRINGING UP SPECIFIC POLICY PLATFORMS LIKE THAT.

THE POLITICAL THINGS THAT HE BROUGHT UP WERE MUCH MORE GETTING BEHIND THINGS THAT EVERYBODY CAN LIKE.

>> UNIVERSAL AND THOUGHT.

>> AND I THINK THAT REALLY LEANING INTO THAT RHETORIC.

AND, AGAIN, THINKING ABOUT HIM WHAT HIS FUTURE MIGHT BE.

I THINK THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK FOLKS ARE TRYING TO TEST OUT.

CAN SOMEBODY JUST RUN ON A PLATFORM OF GREAT LET'S TAKE A EVERYBODY HATES HOW WE TALK ABOUT POLITICS AND HOW POLITICIANS TALK TO EACH OTHER.

THAT IS WHY CONGRESS HAS A LOW APPROVAL RATING.

I THINK FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT AVENUE FOR WHAT A SUCCESSFUL POLITICIAN HOW THEY MIGHT TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS AND MAYBE RUN IN OPPOSITION TO THAT.

NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PULL IT OFF TOO WELL AT A NATIONAL LEVEL.

PERHAPS ANDY BESHEAR PULLED IT OFF AT A STATE LEVEL.

>> AND THAT IS WHY THE EYES OF THE NATION ARE ON KENTUCKY.

WELL, THANK YOU RYLAND.

WE WILL BE WITH HIM AGAIN TOMORROW BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE OUR WEDNESDAY MIDWEEK CHECK IN A LOT OF INAUGURATION.

JOIN US FOR KENTUCKY EDITION IT'S TONIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. EASTERN.

WE ARE PREEMPTED BECAUSE OF THE GRAND MARCH AT 6:00 P.M. THAT PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO GO AN ENTIRE HOUR THAT WILL WIPE OUT KENTUCKY EDITION FOR TONIGHT THIS EVENING BUT AT 11:00 P.M. WE WILL HAVE A RECAP OF THE EVENTS TODAY.

IN THE MEANTIME, 6:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME, THE GRAND MARCH WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR THAT.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THE ENTIRE DAY OR A PORTION OF IT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU TRUSTING AND DEPENDING ON KET TO BRING YOU THIS COVERAGE.

I'M RENEE SHAW FROM ALL OF US THE ENTIRE KET CREW UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CARL BABCOCK OUR FRANKFORT OPERATIONS MANAGER, AND TO THE CREW MY HATS OFF TO YOU.

THANK YOU ALL.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.