Changes

Himes served as Taylor County GOP chairman from 1982—1992. He once traced his political interest to elementary school in Hartford, when in 1940 as a child, he advocated the election of [[Wendell Willkie]] for U.S. President over Democrat [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].[7]

Himes served as Taylor County GOP chairman from 1982—1992. He once traced his political interest to elementary school in Hartford, when in 1940 as a child, he advocated the election of [[Wendell Willkie]] for U.S. President over Democrat [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].[7]

In 1964, he was a [[Barry Goldwater]] Republican, recalled former CU colleague, Dr. Robert S. Clark, a Democrat.[1] As county chairman in 1984, Himes worked to elect McConnell, then the county judge of Jefferson County (Louisville) , to the Senate in what turned out to have been a narrow upset of the Democratic incumbent Walter D. Huddleston. In 2003, he was active in the campaign to elect U.S. Representative Ernie Fletcher (defeated in 2007) as the first Republican governor of Kentucky in more than three decades.

In 1964, he was a [[Barry Goldwater]] Republican, recalled former CU colleague, Dr. Robert S. Clark, a Democrat.[1] As county chairman in 1984, Himes worked to elect McConnell, then the county judge of Jefferson County (Louisville), to the Senate in what turned out to have been a narrow upset of the Democratic incumbent Walter D. Huddleston. In 2003, he was active in the campaign to elect U.S. Representative Ernie Fletcher as the first Republican governor of Kentucky in more than three decades.

Governor Fletcher presented Himes with the Kentucky "Unbridled Spirit" Award, given to those who demonstrate extraordinary effort in such areas as volunteerism, community or charitable work, and education. Fletcher presented the surprise designation to Himes on April 3, 2007, at the dedication of the Heartland Parkway. When completed, the 60-mile highway will connect the Louie B. Nunn Parkway at Columbia with the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway at Springfield by widening the existing United States Highway 68 and two state highways. Thereafter Fletcher was defeated in a bid for a second term.[8]

Governor Fletcher presented Himes with the Kentucky "Unbridled Spirit" Award, given to those who demonstrate extraordinary effort in such areas as volunteerism, community or charitable work, and education. Fletcher presented the surprise designation to Himes on April 3, 2007, at the dedication of the Heartland Parkway. When completed, the 60-mile highway will connect the Louie B. Nunn Parkway at Columbia with the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway at Springfield by widening the existing United States Highway 68 and two state highways. Thereafter Fletcher was handily defeated in a bid for a second term.[8]

In a speech on the Senate floor delivered after the death of Himes, McConnell extolled Himes’ commitment to education, community, and nation. McConnell recalled how Himes had gone out of his way to assist Mrs. McConnell, United States Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], when “she was new to to Kentucky and just getting to know people. Dr. Himes was so friendly and helpful; they soon became fast friends. He was a great guide to the people and places in Kentucky. . . . Kentucky and our nation have lost a great American . . . And I have lost a dear beloved friend.”[7]

In a speech on the Senate floor delivered after the death of Himes, McConnell extolled Himes’ commitment to education, community, and nation. McConnell recalled how Himes had gone out of his way to assist Mrs. McConnell, United States Secretary of Labor [[Elaine Chao]], when “she was new to to Kentucky and just getting to know people. Dr. Himes was so friendly and helpful; they soon became fast friends. He was a great guide to the people and places in Kentucky. . . . Kentucky and our nation have lost a great American . . . And I have lost a dear beloved friend.”[7]