[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H252-H253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HENRY CLAY, THE GREAT COMPROMISER
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cramer). Under the Speaker's announced
policy of January 3, 2013, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, when I graduated from Henry Clay High School
in Lexington, Kentucky, just over 20 years ago, I had little notion
that I would stand before you today occupying the seat which the Great
Compromiser himself once held.
Henry Clay was first elected to this House in 1811 becoming the only
person elected as Speaker the same day he took office. During his
remarkable four decades on the national stage, he steered America
through a daunting array of crises, each of which might have shattered
the Union absent his remarkable leadership.
Indeed, Henry Clay demonstrated that an unwavering dedication to
principle and a practical commitment to compromise are not incompatible
values. They are, instead, the tools of statesmanship, the implements
of progress, and the guardians of freedom.
He was Abraham Lincoln's ``beau ideal of a great man.'' Eulogizing
Clay in 1852, Lincoln called him ``the man for a crisis,'' declaring
that Clay ``desired the prosperity of his countrymen partly because
they were his countrymen, but chiefly to show the world that freemen
could be prosperous.
Henry Clay understood the indispensable link between liberty,
prosperity, and basic human dignity. His struggle to harness our system
of checks and balances to serve these goals echoes across the
generations. The process was messy, and the path ahead was fraught with
danger and uncertainty; but the Great Compromiser governed in the
national interest without comprising himself or forgetting who sent him
there.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored, indeed I am awed, by the legacy of Henry
Clay and the exceptional men who followed him; but I did not come here
as the self-styled heir to that legacy.
{time} 1340
Instead, I came here as a father concerned about his children's
future. I came here as a Kentuckian determined to fight for my State's
signature industries. And I came here as an American committed to
restoring the American Dream.
My district, in central and eastern Kentucky, offers a panoramic view
of the values, dreams, and passions that have animated our Nation since
its beginnings. Historically anchored in Kentucky's bluegrass region,
the Sixth District now extends to the Appalachian foothills, bordering
the coalfields of the Cumberland Plateau.
We are perhaps most recognized as the horse capital of the world.
Indeed, the world came to Kentucky just over 2 years ago when Lexington
hosted the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Yet that event offers
just the latest example of our State's deep integration with the global
economy.
Georgetown, Kentucky, is home to the largest Toyota manufacturing
facility outside of Japan, a facility which provides 7,000 well-paying
jobs that produces the Camry, the most popular American-made car in the
United States.
These jobs in turn rely upon some of the lowest electricity costs in
the Nation, which Kentucky's coal industry makes possible. Having
endured the astonishing assault of the war on coal during the last 4
years, Kentucky's coal industry continues to offer the reality of
affordable energy today and the promise of an affordable, reliable, and
clean source of American energy for centuries to come.
Kentuckians are also capitalizing upon our State's enormous potential
for tourism through creative initiatives like the Bourbon Trail, which
now draws an estimated 400,000 visitors every year. We are introducing
the world to our special distilling heritage.
The Sixth District offers a number of historic treasures, such as
Daniel Boone's settlement, Fort Boonesborough, and in Frankfort, even
our new State capitol and executive mansion are listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Plus, tourists and residents alike can
enjoy natural attractions of stunning majesty, such as Red River Gorge,
Natural Bridge, and Cave Run, which provide almost limitless
opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The Sixth District also remains home to a diverse and thriving
agricultural economy. We are best known for tobacco, but many people
may not know that Kentucky possesses more head of cattle than any State
east of the Mississippi.
These industries are supported with colleges and universities filled
with outstanding teaching and research professionals. Institutions like
the University of Kentucky--my alma mater--Eastern Kentucky University,
Transylvania University, Kentucky State University, Georgetown College,
Midway College, and the members of our community and technical college
system.
The University of Kentucky is well-known for its proud tradition of
college basketball, having won eight national championships, most
recently in 2012.
Underlying all of these success stories is the unique pride and
attachment to place that distinguishes Kentuckians wherever you find
us. Our State's pioneer heritage survives as the well-spring of our
determination to survive and excel against overwhelming odds. No matter
the challenge, we will persevere. We will lead. And with God's help, we
will prosper together.
[[Page H253]]
Mr. Speaker, I am humbled beyond measure to represent a people who
embody the spirit, the generosity, and the creativity that define
America's greatness. I pray that my service proves equal to their
trust.
Through the lens of time, Henry Clay appears larger than life, yet
our Republic has a habit of producing the right men and women at the
right time. Together, let's strive after Henry Clay's model of
leadership. Given the gravity of our challenge, each of us must.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________