Lee takes oath as Tennessee's 50th governor

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee takes the oath of office in War Memorial Auditorium Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee takes the oath of office in War Memorial Auditorium Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

NASHVILLE - Weaving his family's own experience as pioneer settlers here into the tapestry of Tennessee's story, Republican Bill Lee on Saturday took the oath of office as the state's 50th governor, stressing self reliance, sacrifice, unity and faith in God to meet the challenges ahead.

"Our greatness has never come from what any one individual did," the 59-year businessman and political outsider told a packed crowd inside the 1,600-seat War Memorial Auditorium at the state Capitol.

Rather, Lee said, "our greatness has always come from the collective lives, service, commitment and sacrifice of those who came before us-because of what we have always done as a people together, in community with each other, in service to our state and to our neighbors."

And he said that "government is not the answer to our greatest challenges. Government's role is to protect our rights and our liberty and our freedom. I believe in a limited government, that provides unlimited opportunity for we the people to address the greatest challenges of our day."

Moments earlier, Lee, his wife Maria standing beside him, took the oath of office, administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Bivins, using his father's Bible.

The event, originally scheduled to be held outdoors on the adjacent Legislative Plaza, was moved indoors due to rain to War Memorial Auditorium. The auditorium was packed with top state officials, the entire General Assembly, the state's 11 U.S. senators and congressman and hundreds of Lee supporters as well as lobbyists and others.

An overflow crowd of at least 200 people gathered in the nearby Tennessee Tower state office building and watched proceedings on video monitors.

As he spoke, Lee cited the work of past Tennesseans, "men and women who protected us and built a system of law and justice, circuit riders who built a community of faith. It happened because of men and women who struggled to overcome injustices and inequalities
in our society -- from slavery to suffrage to civil rights."

Lee attributed most of Tennessee's successes in areas ranging from forging a state, building cities and businesses, to a higher power.

"[I]t happened because of the favor of God Himself," the governor said. "In spite of our inadequacies and our weaknesses, He has been strong on our behalf. He has blessed us indeed. And as governor of Tennessee, I will daily ask him for his wisdom, guidance, and direction."

"We will need that wisdom, for despite the blessings we enjoy, we still face great challenges," Lee added.

Lee thanked his predecessor, fellow Republican Bill Haslam, for his service and friendship, saying that "standing here in our state's capital city, we see reminders everywhere of the successes of your administration. Growth and opportunity seem to be found on every corner.

"From education to economic development, you have laid a tremendous foundation for us to build upon," Lee said. "We are the envy of many states, and that is due in large part to your exceptional leadership."

But many challenges remain, Lee said, also noting that regardless of whether people live in the state's famous grand divisions of East, Middle and West Tennessee, in rural or urban areas, "people want the same thing: a good job, good school for their kids, and a safe neighborhood.

"It's true that we have good jobs and great prosperity here. We have record low unemployment and taxes. Companies are moving here and small businesses are starting here," he added.

But among the state's 95 counties, there remain 15 rural counties mired in poverty along with "some of the most economically distressed zip codes in America - right in the heart of our greatest cities.

"When we consider our state, we see how fortunate we are, and yet, we also see how much we
have to do," Lee said. "Not only do Tennesseans want a good job; they want good schools for their kids. We've made tremendous progress in education in this state -- in part due to great education governors who have come before me. In fact, Tennessee has the highest rate of improvement in educational outcomes in America.

"And yet," Lee added, "we're still in the bottom half of states."

Lee, who ran on boosting vocational education in middle and high schools, said he believes "education is more than a test score -- it's about preparing a child for success in life."

He said he wants a "resurgence of vocational, technical and agricultural education" as well as "the inclusion of civics and character education, combined with reforms, will take Tennessee to the top tier of states."

Lee said Tennesseans also want safe neighborhoods, noting that although "most neighborhoods are safe, our violent crime rate is on the rise in every major city. We can be tough on crime and smart on crime at the same time. For violent criminals and traffickers, justice should be swift and certain."

But Lee, who did volunteer work for a faith-based program aimed at helping felons re-enter socieity, took up another of his campaign pledges

"Here's the reality, 95% of the people in prison today are coming out. And today in
Tennessee, half of them commit crimes again and return to prison within the first three years. We need to help non-violent criminals re-enter society, and not re-enter prison.
I believe we can do it and create safer neighborhoods for everyone in Tennessee."

He cited other challenges, including the state's opioid epidemic he said is "ravaging our state."

And Lee, who opposes expanding Medicaid to an estimated 300,000 low-income working adults under the federal Affordable Care Act, said "too few Tennesseans have access to healthcare that they can afford."

He has pledged to address health care costs.

Also citing how "our rural communities are struggling," Lee said these all represent the "the challenges of our day, and history will judge us based on how we meet them."

But he noted that "as honored as I am to be your next governor, I know that no governor can solve all the problems we face-in fact, no government can.

The "truth is," Lee added, "that most of the things that have created the greatness of Tennessee don't have very much to do with government at all. Our strength has always come from our people, people like those First Tennesseans, who came here with hope, who worked together to create this great state."

Earlier, Haslam delivered his last address as governor, alluding to various accomplishments, his voice sometimes choking, while heaping praise on Lee.

"Mark my words, Bill Lee will be a great governor," Haslam told the audience, saying he's already seen Lee working in helping recruit businesses to the state. He praised Lee's cabinet, a number of whom served Haslam.

"Bill," said Haslam, turning to Lee. "God speed, my brother."

In his address later, Lee spoke about his seventh great grandfather, Charles Braxton Lee, who settled on the banks of the Cumberland River in 1796. He said he's thought about him and his other ancestors a great deal. And he's also giving thought to those who will follow.

"Were we strong and courageous, faithful, committed, certain? Did we come together to meet
the challenges we faced, with courage, optimism and belief in each other?" he asked. "If we meet the challenges of this moment, they too will say of us-- tThey were Tennesseans.'"

Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.

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