Tony Hampton for State Representative

The transition to the beginning of a new school year can often be hectic for those on the roadway.

Please be mindful of new Kentucky Law (KRS 189.370)

With the new school year starting next week, let's make safety a top priority by knowing the rules of the road!

Drivers need to know how a new Kentucky law (KRS 189.370) impacts what they should do if they see a bus with red flashing lights and an extended stop arm:

• When this occurs on a road with more than two lanes that doesn't have a raised or unpaved median, traffic in all directions and lanes must stop.

• The only exception to this law is on a four-lane or more road that includes a raised or unpaved median. In this instance, traffic opposite to the extended stop arm may proceed.

Let’s all do our part to keep our kids as safe as possible.

Memorial Day is a solemn, dedicated time to pause and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The liberties we enjoy today are built upon their selfless courage.

Thank you 🫡

Three years have passed since you were taken from us.

You were all that is best in a public servant to Scott Countians and all who passed through this community.

A beloved father, husband, son, brother and friend.

May you live in our hearts and may our actions honor you every day.

Observing Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, it is important that we take time not only to observe the holiday, but to reflect on where this solemn tradition began and what it continues to represent today. Understanding the history of Memorial Day allows us to appreciate its true purpose—a day set aside not for celebration, but for remembrance; not simply for a long weekend with family and friends, but for honoring the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation and the freedoms we hold dear.

The origins of Memorial Day trace back to the years following the Civil War, the deadliest conflict in American history. In the spring of 1866, just one year after the war ended, the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia, organized one of the earliest known observances dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers. The association called for a special day to decorate the graves of those who had died in the war with flowers and tributes of remembrance. Their efforts reflected a nation still grieving unimaginable loss and searching for ways to honor those who had sacrificed everything.

What began as local acts of remembrance soon grew into a national movement. In May 1868, Union General John A. Logan, who served as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation establishing a nationwide observance known as Decoration Day. He called on Americans to gather each spring to decorate the graves of fallen servicemembers and ensure their sacrifices would never fade from memory.

That first national observance was held on May 30, 1868, in communities and cemeteries across the country. One of the most significant ceremonies took place at Arlington National Cemetery, where Union General and future President James A. Garfield addressed thousands gathered in tribute. Nearly 5,000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers resting there. It was a powerful symbol of remembrance, healing, and national unity after years of division and bloodshed.

Over time, Decoration Day evolved alongside the nation itself. By 1890, every Northern state had formally recognized the observance, while Southern communities continued holding their own memorial traditions honoring Confederate soldiers. Following World War I, the meaning of the holiday expanded to honor Americans who died in all wars, not solely the Civil War. The term “Memorial Day” gradually became more common after World War II, reflecting a broader national tribute to generations of fallen servicemembers.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, officially establishing Memorial Day as a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May. While the change created a three-day weekend for many Americans, the purpose of the day itself has never changed.

Memorial Day is ultimately about sacrifice. It is about the young men and women who left home wearing the uniform of the United States Armed Forces and never returned. It is about families who received folded American flags instead of homecomings. It is about generations of Americans who believed deeply enough in this country and its ideals to lay down their lives for them.

In today’s fast-moving world, it can be easy to lose sight of that meaning amid cookouts, travel plans, and the unofficial beginning of summer. Yet the freedoms we enjoy - the freedom to speak openly, worship freely, gather peacefully, and pursue our dreams - were secured at a tremendous cost. Every Memorial Day, we are called to pause and remember that freedom has never been free.

As Memorial Day approaches, I hope each of us takes a moment to honor those who gave what President Abraham Lincoln once called “the last full measure of devotion.” Visit a cemetery. Attend a memorial service. Fly the American flag proudly. Most importantly, remember the men and women whose courage and sacrifice made our way of life possible.

To close, I leave you with the enduring words of General Logan from his 1868 proclamation, a reminder as meaningful today as it was more than 150 years ago, “Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

Reflecting on my 30 years in law enforcement I know all too well how fortunate I was to return home to my family each night.

I unfortunately have also lived the harsh reality of why this week is needed.

May we always honor, remember and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
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Join me in showing our appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who courageously protect our communities.

Wishing a very happy Mother’s Day to all the women who have nurtured and helped guide us here.

We love and appreciate all you do!

Supporting our National Guard members is a true honor 🇺🇸

Every day, Kentucky's National Guard members stand ready in every corner of our Commonwealth. NGAKY works to ensure they have the resources, benefits, and support they need to serve safely and effectively. NGAKY recognizes legislators who take concrete action, by sponsoring or co-sponsoring, to advance Guard-focused initiatives.

Thank you to those Senators and Representatives who supported National Guard priorities this session.

The National Guard Association of Kentucky Recognized Sponsors Are:

⭐
State Senator Matt Deneen
Senator Aaron Reed Kentucky
Senator Matt Nunn
Representative Candy Massaroni
Representative Ryan Bivens, State
Representative Emily Callaway
Representative Beverly Chester-Burton
Representative Chris Fugate
Representative Tony Hampton
Representative DJ Johnson
Representative Bobby McCool
Representative Adam Moore
Representative TJ Roberts
Representative Wade Williams
Representative Robert Duvall
Representative Bill Wesley