2006 Legislative Moments

Each Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly is filled with noteworthy moments.

Lawmakers from all corners of the Commonwealth gather in the State Capitol each January to start anew the legislative process and represent the will of their constituents. They are joined by thousands of Kentuckians who travel to the center of their state government to make their voices heard. Through it all, our representative form of government ticks along and works as the founders envisioned, with divergent viewpoints coming together in an effort to chart a wise course into the future.

“Legislative Moments” is a slide show that features some of the moments of the General Assembly’s 2006 Regular Session.

Jade Laci Lee Turner of Morehead sings “My Old Kentucky Home” for lawmakers after being welcomed to the front of the House chamber by House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, (left) and House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, listen to Governor Ernie Fletcher’s State of the Commonwealth Address.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, presides over the Senate.

Flowers and a miner's helmet were placed on the desk of Representative Robin Webb, D-Grayson, after the Sago Mine deaths in West Virginia. Webb worked as a miner to pay for law school.

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Senator Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, introduces mine safety legislation in the Senate. The legislation was approved by both chambers and signed into law.

Senator Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, talks to the Senate about safety equipment that could help protect miners during emergencies.

Senate President Pro Tempore Katie Kratz Stine, R-Southgate, presides over the Senate.

Representative Gross Lindsay, D-Henderson, emphasizes a point during a debate in the House.

Senator Julie Denton, R-Louisville, speaks with a fellow legislator on the Senate floor.

Representative Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, listens to the debate in the House as he looks over information on a bill under consideration.

House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, (left) discusses the Orders of the Day with House Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover, R-Jamestown.

Senator Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville, introduces Dudley and Ruth Riley, of Dawson Springs, to the Senate. Mr. Riley was a prisoner of war during World War II.

Mr.. Ernest West (right) receives a long overdue Purple Heart during a House ceremony in his honor. Private First Class West was injured several times while rescuing his wounded patrol leader and other troops during an ambush in the Korean War.

Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo, D-Lexington (left), presents a specialty "Gold Star Mother" license plate to Cathy Comley, whose son, Chase, was killed in Iraq.

Senator Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, receives a hug from Tamara “Tiny” Gilkerson, a member of the Task Force Omega of Kentucky after he was awarded “2006 Outstanding Kentucky Legislator” for his work on the Funeral Dignity Bill.

Senator Elizabeth Tori, R-Radcliff, gives her views on House Bill 3, which imposes stricter limits for penalties of sex offenders, as Lieutenant Governor Steve Pence, Governor Ernie Fletcher, Representative Charlie Hoffman and House Speaker Jody Richards look on.

Senate President David Williams R-Burkesville, signs a bill to be sent to the governor in the Senate chamber with Senator Julie Denton, R-Louisville, and Senator Gary Tapp, R-Shelbyville.

House Minority Caucus Chair Bob M. DeWeese, R-Louisville, holds a March 13 press conference to unveil a medical liability proposal.

Senator Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, (right) speaks with Senator Ken Winters, R-Murray, on the Senate floor.

A supporter of affordable housing efforts watches lawmakers discuss the issue during a news conference.

Protesters and counter protesters gather on the Capitol steps in response to legislation limiting protests at funerals.

Labor supporters came to Frankfort to rally in front of the Capitol in March.

Senator Charlie Borders, R-Russell, addresses the crowd from the Capitol steps at the labor rally in March.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly, R-Springfield, speaks with a group visiting the Capitol.

Katie Pfeffer of Flemingsburg listens to Gov. Fletcher's news conference. She served as a page for Representative Mike Denham, D-Maysville.

Members of the Kentucky State Trooper Legislative Security Detail watch a rally from the second floor of the Rotunda.

The Kentucky Sassafras Band performs traditional bluegrass music in the House.

Representative Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, is serenaded during a recess in the House on Valentine's Day.

Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, teaches a group of Cub Scouts a bit about the legislative process.

Representative Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green, relaxes while reading through legislation on his computer during a recess in the House chamber.

House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, signs bills to be sent to the governor near the end of the legislative session.

Senator Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs, (front) and Senator Gary Tapp, R-Shelbyville, put their desire to vote on a bill in writing during Senate proceedings.

Representative Ancel Smith, D-Leburn, (center) makes a point during a discussion with (from left) Representative Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, Representative Royce Adams, D-Dry Ridge, and Senator Daniel Mongiardo, D-Hazard, in the House Speaker's outer office during the final hours of session.

Representative Bob DeWeese, R-Louisville, speaks with Representative Marie Rader, R-McKee, during a recess of the House.

A group of Senators discuss issues during a recess in the Senate on the final night of session. Pictured, from left to right, are Senators David Boswell, D-Owensboro; Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville; Daniel Mongiardo, D-Hazard; and Julian Carroll, D-Frankfort.

Representative Frank Rasche, D-Paducah, plays the harmonica during a long recess on the last day of session.

There was plenty of activity around House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, (left) as the clock got closer to midnight during the tense final minutes of the legislative session.

Lobbyists line the House steps late at night as they await word on final legislation.

Representative Ron Crimm, R-Louisville, counts down on his watch as the House awaits for last minute legislation from the Senate.

Representative Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, reports the last piece of legislation just before midnight as LRC Director Bobby Sherman looks on.

With the end of session comes some of the first signs of spring: tulips blooming on the Capitol lawn.

Credits

Captions

Amy Rose

Chuck Truesdell

Rob Weber

Design and Editing

Karen Lile

Rob Weber

For copies of photographs, email: mike.sunseri@lrc.ky.gov

Photographers

Mike SunseriBud Kraft