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By: Casey Roberts

casey.roberts@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

 

As Independence Day approaches, Sen. Brandon J. Storm, R-London, is calling on Kentuckians to reflect on the values that make the Commonwealth — and the nation — strong, united, and proud.

Quoting Abraham Lincoln — “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” — Storm said the spirit of the Fourth of July is about more than fireworks and parades.

“This quote from our 16th president speaks to the heart of what Independence Day should inspire in us all: pride in where we live, and a responsibility to live in a way that earns that pride,” Storm said. “That’s the spirit we carry forward each Fourth of July here in Kentucky — a quiet, determined pride rooted in freedom, service, and community.”

Storm urged Kentuckians to take time this July 4 to reflect on the founding ideals of the nation: liberty, opportunity, and the belief in the power of individuals to shape their future.

“When our Founding Fathers signed their names to the Declaration, they didn’t just cast off a king,” he said. “They cast a vision — a country governed by its people, guided by principle, and willing to defend both.”

Storm noted that honoring this legacy means more than celebrating — it means living out those values daily.

“In Kentucky, we see it clearly — in the small towns where neighbors look out for each other, in the businesses that keep our local economies strong, and in the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform, past and present,” he said.

The American dream, he added, has never been about perfection, but perseverance.

“It’s the freedom to try, to fail, to grow, and to succeed,” Storm said. “It’s about the belief that we can leave something better behind for those who follow, and that the work of building a stronger nation is never finished.”

Storm credited Kentuckian4s for continuing that legacy, from historic Camp Taylor to modern-day missions at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox.

“We carry that tradition not just in memory, but in action — by strengthening our communities, standing by our values, and choosing each day to be a part of something greater than ourselves,” he said.

“As we gather this Independence Day, let’s take pride not just in our country, but in how we live within it,” Storm added. “Let’s honor America by striving to be the kind of citizens who make our commonwealth proud — and by continuing to keep the promise of freedom alive for generations to come.”

Storm represents the 21st Senate District, which includes Casey, Laurel, Lincoln and Rockcastle counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary and as non-voting co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. He also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Banking and Insurance, and Transportation, and is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary.

In 2024, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.

For more information about Sen. Storm or the Kentucky General Assembly, visit legislature.ky.gov.