Supporters see bright future for senator

By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
Glasgow Daily Times

GREENSBURG January 05, 2009 12:16 pm

— Spectators filled every available space of the old courthouse in Greensburg on Friday afternoon to witness the swearing in ceremony of Kentucky’s new state senator for the 9th District, David P. Givens, of Green County.
People stood two and three deep on the balcony, filled the stairs and aisles and squeezed into the corners of the room leaving only a small space in front of the judge’s bench for officials to carry out the proceedings.
The historic building, with its gleaming old wood, tall windows and lofty ceiling, provided the appropriate backdrop for the ceremony. Built in 1802, it served as the county’s courthouse until 1931 and has been preserved as a landmark since that time.
Green County Attorney Russell Goff welcomed the crowd and said he believed they were witnessing the political beginnings of a man who will not only bring leadership, but will be a strong and effective figure for the state.
Pam Hodges Browning, newly retired Barren County Clerk, gave the invocation while standing between Givens and his wife, Lynne, linking hands with them.
Givens took the constitutional oath of office from retired Court of Appeals Judge Thomas D. Emberton of Metcalfe County who said of the new senator, “All the years that I have served in politics and government, I think David Givens is probably at the top of the list of those who will run things the way they should be run.”
After the ceremony, Emberton added, “I think he’s one of the most promising young people to come into government really since I can remember. He has all the attributes that I think we should look for in our leaders. It’s been such a pleasant honor for me to be a part of it. The size of this crowd was a tribute to him. I look forward to seeing him in the Senate. He’s going to make a mark there for us.”
Several speakers said when they first met Givens they thought he was too nice to make it in politics.
Beverly Calvert, county clerk for Allen County, told the crowd when she first met Givens a year ago she thought “they’re going eat him alive” when he announced his candidacy because “he was such a nice guy.”
Emberton agreed and said when he first met Givens he thought he was a wonderful person, but didn’t know if he had what it would take to mount an effective campaign.
Their opinions have changed.
Michael Meredith, city commissioner for Brownsville-Edmonson County, said he thought to himself, “I think this guy is the real deal.”
He said he asked others about him and was told the only thing wrong with Givens was “sometimes this guy is so nice – it’s scary.”
Several officials from Glasgow and Barren County attended the ceremony. Along with Browning, Barren County Judge-Executive Davie Greer, Barren County Clerk Joanne London and Cave City Mayor Bob Hunt were present for the ceremony.
“Dave is going to represent us well. We’re proud to have him in there. There was a large, large crowd here to witness this and we were glad to be a part of it,” Hunt said.
Sen. David Williams, R-Burkesville, in his comments to the group, said he had heard about the rule of six connections (six degrees of separation) to connect one person with any other in the world. He told the crowd, “With David Givens, you’re one connection away from knowing anybody in the state of Kentucky that you need to know. David Givens is the future of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is a great possibility for our state.”
After the ceremony, Williams said he was impressed with the turnout and with Givens himself.
“It’s just such a tremendous crowd and people from all the various counties (are) represented here,” he said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm about David. He’s a fresh face in Frankfort. He’s very intelligent obviously and has strong connections in all the counties after this race and with Western Kentucky University, which is important in this area especially to Glasgow.”
Givens thanked all of his supporters and told the gathering that he hoped to serve as well as all of them seemed to think he could.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve,” he said. “It’s humbling and the size of the crowd and the reception and the support is very reflective of what we saw throughout the campaign. There’s so many good people out there and that was the highlight of campaigning and I do think that’s going to be the highlight of serving – the relationship with good people.”
Asked about the large turnout in his honor, Givens said it was touching.
“To look out over that crowd and see new friends and old friends and to have them all together in one place and to have that flash of those stories come to you as you see these people and think about the connections you’ve made,” he said. “That was the other interesting thing we found throughout the campaign – what we call threads – because you would find out you’re a lot closer to people than you realize once you started connecting with them and once you have that connection with someone you feel required to go and do the best for them that you can do.”

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