Read Gov. Bill Lee’s remarks on the occasion of his second inaugural
In case you missed it over the weekend, Gov. Bill Lee was inaugurated to his second term as Tennessee’s 50th governor on Saturday. Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
Continue readingThank you to every person here – for being here today to celebrate our great state and her rich history.
Lt. Governor McNally, Speaker Sexton, members of the General Assembly, constitutional officers, Justices of the Court, members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, Governor Dunn, Governor Alexander, Governor Bredesen, Governor Haslam, members of the cabinet, members of our staff…
My family, of whom there are many here today, some from far away… My friends and fellow Tennesseans. Thank you, not only for being here, but for who you are and what you do to make this the greatest state in the greatest country in the world.
Tennessee reminds people in this country that America hasn’t lost her way. That idea is reflected by every person here today, and it’s why our state motto – America at its Best – adopted many years ago, is so appropriate, especially today. Tennessee is leading the nation, and it’s good that we reflect on that and celebrate it.
But before I go on, there is one more person I want to acknowledge – someone who embodies the Volunteer Spirit of the people of our state with courage, strength and service. These last few months have been hard on our family, but God is faithful. Maria and I have cherished your prayers for healing. We are grateful for everyone who has supported us, and I’m grateful she’s here today – my wife and our First Lady, Maria Lee.
While Maria and I are in a time of struggle, we know that we are not alone in these hardships. In fact, the last four years have brought unexpected challenges to many of us in this state – floods, wildfires, a pandemic, tornadoes, even a bombing on Christmas morning – in addition to personal challenges you could be facing right now that your fellow Tennesseans don’t even know about. It doesn’t take away the tragedy, difficulty or fear, but in times of struggle, we can find great hope.
We saw that when Tennesseans converged on the Cumberland Plateau to help their neighbors after those devastating tornadoes. We saw that when six brave police officers put their very lives on the line to protect their fellow man from that bomb on Christmas morning. We saw that in Waverly. I was there the day after the floods, and wept with, prayed with and embraced people who had lost everything, even their loved ones.
Maria was there a few days later to help clean up homes that had been reduced to rubble. For Waverly, that is clearly part of the story – tragedy, difficulty, and fear. But I was also there one year later, as the community gathered in remembrance of all those lost. Once again, we wept, prayed and embraced, but this time, something was different. We also recognized the remarkable transformation that occurred in that community over the past year. It was a stark picture of redemption and hope. Quite frankly, it’s a picture of Tennessee since our founding.
Here are the details for the festivities surrounding Lee’s second inauguration
Gov. Bill Lee is scheduled to be sworn in to his second term on Jan. 21. Here are the details for the celebrations:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the theme and schedule of events for the 2023 inaugural celebration, ‘Tennessee: Leading the Nation’.
“Tennessee is leading the nation as a guiding light for opportunity, security and freedom,” said Lee. “Maria and I invite Tennesseans to join us as we reflect on the tremendous success Tennessee has seen over the past four years and celebrate as we move forward in anticipation of our state’s continued prosperity.”
Gov. Lee will take the oath of office for his second term at the inauguration ceremony on January 21 at 11:00 a.m. CT on Legislative Plaza in Nashville. The oath will be administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Page. The event is a joint convention of the 113th General Assembly.
To celebrate the state’s rich history, Tennesseans are encouraged to schedule free tours of the Tennessee State Capitol and Tennessee State Museum in the days leading up to inaugural weekend.
‘Tennessee: Leading the Nation’ celebratory events will take place January 20-21 in Nashville. With the
exception of the ticketed Saturday evening events, all activities are free and open to the public with limitations based on venue capacity. Registration is required for all events. Event details, tickets and registrations are available here.Friday, January 20
— Tennessee: Leading the Nation Reception, 8:00 p.m. CT – Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Avenue North
Saturday, January 21.
— Inaugural Worship Service, 8:30 a.m. CT – Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Avenue North.
— Inaugural Ceremony, 11:00 a.m. CT – Legislative Plaza, Union & 6th Avenue.
— First Couple’s Inaugural Dinner, 6:30 p.m. CT – Grand Hyatt Hotel Grand Hall, 1000 Broadway, ticketed event.
— Inaugural Ball, 8:00 p.m. CT – The Fisher Center, 2020 Belmont Boulevard, ticketed event.
Inaugural celebration events and activities are fully supported by private donations according to contribution guidelines.
Here’s your Bill Lee inauguration gallery
Bill Lee delivers his inaugural address in Nashville on Jan. 19, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Bill Lee delivers his inaugural address in Nashville on Jan. 19, 2019. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Gov. Bill Lee, bottom left, looks on as his Cabinet takes the oath of office in Nashville on Jan. 19, 2019. (Erik Schelzig Tennessee Journal)
Full text of Gov. Bill Lee’s inaugural address
Bill Lee takes the oath of office as Tennessee’s 50th governor on Nashville. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Gov. Bill Lee’s inaugural speech, as prepared for delivery:
“In 1796, a man and his young family began their homestead just up the way on the banks of the Cumberland River. That was the same year the great state of Tennessee was formed. 223 years and 50 governors later, we stand here on the banks of the Cumberland, celebrating our history and anticipating our future.
I am honored to stand before you today.
Thank you for that warm introduction Governor McNally. Thanks to you, to Speaker Casada and all the Members of the General Assembly. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.
To the former governors, thank you for being here as well. It’s an honor to have you.
I would also like to thank our Constitutional Officers, the Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation and all of my fellow Tennesseans who have joined us here in War Memorial Auditorium, and those watching at home. Thank you for sharing in this special moment.
I would not be here today without God’s gift to me, my wife Maria.
Throughout the past two years of campaigning, Maria has been constantly at my side. She has been steadfastly committed to me and in this process has become committed to the people of Tennessee. She will make a remarkable First Lady. Maria, thank you.
Inauguration to be moved indoors
Gov.-elect Bill Lee speaks to a Chamber of Commerce event in Memphis on Dec. 6, 2018. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Gov. Bill Lee’s inauguration is being moved indoors because of rain and thunderstorms forecast for Saturday.
Here’s the full release from the Lee transition office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement forecasting numerous showers and thunderstorms in Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Due to these conditions, the inaugural ceremony of Bill Lee as the 50th governor of Tennessee will be moved to War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville.
“While the weather doesn’t seem to be cooperating, we are looking forward to a fantastic inaugural weekend,” said Lee. “I encourage Tennesseans to be safe, but still also feel welcome to attend this historic event. We are making every effort to accommodate overflow space for those wishing to attend because I want to ensure no Tennessean is turned away who wants to join us for the festivities.”
The Inaugural Ceremony, free and open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. CST. Admittance to the event will be based on venue capacity of War Memorial Auditorium, 301 6th Avenue North. The event is historically held outdoors on the adjoining Legislative Plaza.
All other inaugural events will proceed as planned. Event details can be found at BelieveInTN.com.
The inauguration will occur in a joint convention of the 111th General Assembly convened by Lt. Governor Randy McNally and Speaker of the House Glen Casada. The oath will be administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey S. Bivins.
Lee’s inaugural worship service moved to Grand Ole Opry House
Gov.-elect Bill Lee speaks at a press conference at the state Capitol in Nashville on Nov. 7, 2018. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
Gov.-elect Bill Lee’s inaugural worship service is being moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the Grand Old Opry House due to increased demand.
Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nicole C. Mullen, and Matthew West are among those scheduled to perform at the the 8:30 a.m. event on Saturday.
Tickets are required, but free. They are available at BelieveInTN.com.
Lee releases inauguration details
Gov.-elect Bill Lee’s transition office has release some more details about next week’s inauguration schedule. Here they are:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2019 Inaugural Worship Service will feature some of the nation’s premier performers in a celebration of song to begin inauguration-day festivities as Bill Lee becomes the 50th governor of Tennessee.
Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nicole C. Mullen, Matthew West and other acclaimed performers will headline the worship service at Ryman Auditorium, January 19, 8:30 a.m. Tickets for the worship service are required and free to the public at BelieveInTN.com based on seating availability. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and be seated for the start of the worship service.
“Bill and I have been friends for decades,” said Smith. “His dedication to his Creator, his family, our community and now our state is unmatched. Starting the day of his inauguration in prayer and worship is a sincere and honest reflection of the type people Bill and Maria are. They will be outstanding servant-leaders for the great State of Tennessee.”
