Members of the community as well as friends and family members of the 51st governor of Kentucky, Edward “Ned” Breathitt gathered outside of the Christian County Courthouse for the plaque dedication ceremony recognizing Breathitt’s work as governor and his Hopkinsville roots on Monday.
Ned Breathitt served as governor from 1963 to 1967 and passed away in 2003 at the age of 78. To start the dedication Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight and Christian County Judge Executive, Jerry Gilliam welcomed those in attendance and shared the importance of Breathitt’s work toward the state and his community.
Gilliam says the statue and its dedication plaque will stand as a landmark and a reminder of what Ned Breathitt achieved for the state.
The bronze statue was sculpted by the former governor’s son, Edward Breathitt Jr. and was unveiled around a year ago in front of the courthouse. Continuing with the dedication ceremony, Ned Breathitt’s daughter Linda Breathitt recognized the day as the 60th anniversary of her father’s governor inauguration.
To recognize the occasion, Linda Breathitt read an excerpt from her father’s inauguration address in 1963. In his address, Ned Breathitt spoke abut the political divisions and obstacles the states faced at the time, but expressed his confidence in conquering the issues plaguing Kentuckians.
Christian County Historian, William Turner highlighted some of Ned Breathitt’s achievements during his tenure as governor. Turner describes Ned Breathitt as a champion of civil rights in the south for signing the Kentucky Civil Rights Act into law.
Concluding the dedication ceremony was Ned Breathitt’s granddaughter and daughter to Edward Breathitt Jr., Ana Breathitt who witnessed the sculpture coming together from the molding of the clay to the pouring of the bronze.
Ana Breathitt thanked those who worked alongside her grandfather and sent photos as references for the statue. She shared that she even helped her father with some of the details in the statues’ tie.
Although she never met Ned Breathitt, Ana Breathitt shared that a piece of that desire to meet him has been fulfilled by the testimonials of those who knew him shared that the statue captures who he was as a person.
The plaque that sits above the statue recognizes Ned Breathitt’s work toward civil rights, forest conservation, education, mental health and much more during his tenure.
