Tennessee Governor Bill Lee shared a meal with Livingston residents at 1806 BBQ Wednesday as part of his America 250 tour.
Lee said the tour is meant to celebrate Tennessee’s contributions to America as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence next year. Lee said this tour is a chance to meet everyday people where they are.
“What matters to people in Livingston, what matters to people in communities all over Tennessee, that’s what should matter to us,” Lee said. “And that’s what we should wake up thinking about. Me as the governor, us as public servants and legislators, that’s what we should be thinking about every day.”
Lee said the chance to interact with the public serves as a reminder of who he works for. Lee, a former business owner, said the local businesses in small communities are longstanding staples that make Tennessee what it is.
Part of this tour for Lee is visiting several centennial businesses, or businesses who have been in operation for over 100 years. Lee said he will be visiting farms, families, and other long-standing businesses because they give him hope of what’s to come.
“We are the beneficiaries of families, individuals who have poured their lives into these communities in the state who have risked all of their financial future to build a business,” Lee said. “Who have created jobs and opportunities for Tennesseans for generations. The greatness of our state comes from our forefathers.”
Lee said the American founders were brilliant in establishing the country, and it has thrived ever since. He said America is on the way to becoming a more perfect union.
“We are Americans and we’re proud of that,” Lee said. “And we need to stop occasionally and remind ourselves not of just what’s wrong, but of the blessings that we all have. The freedoms, the liberties, the communities that we live in that are unique to this country.”
Lee said this tour is an especially important reminder for him, as he was a business owner before he stepped into politics. In addition, Lee said the tour serves as a reminder that freedom is not free, and American values are worth defending.
Lee said seeing the construction work in Downtown Livingston is exciting because local livelihoods are being strengthened. Lee said the construction is a sign of opportunity.
“People want access to opportunity,” Lee said. “They want security. They want to know their communities are safe. And they want to have the liberty and the freedom that comes with being an American. So opportunity, security, freedom is what matters to Tennesseans, and I see opportunity all around the square here and all around this town.”
While visiting 1806 BBQ, Lee greeted and took photos with community members and local leadership.
Lee made three stops in the Upper Cumberland Wednesday. His trip began at Johnson Nursery and Garden Center in Cookeville and finished in Historic Downtown Granville in Jackson County.
