State, local GOP honor Duncan at Rothchild
Duncan, who is retiring after 30 years in Congress, was guest of honor at the banquet. His tenure will conclude more than 50 years of collective congressional service for the 2nd District by Duncan and his late father, U.S. Rep. John Duncan Sr.
State and local dignitaries who attended the banquet included former Gov. Don Sundquist and his wife, Martha; Tennessee U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn (currently running for U.S. Senate), Chuck Fleischmann and Diane Black (candidate for governor); and a number of other state and local officials, including many others running for various offices.
Fleischmann, who represents the state’s 4th Congressional District, called Duncan “the great dean of our delegation …[who] mentored us and helped us [when we were new to Congress].
“He is a man of God, who honors and cherishes his family, and honors his dad and his great legacy.”
“There are thousands of constituents [Duncan is] beloved by, and Tennessee is a far better state to have had [Duncan] in ‘the people’s house.’”
Black told the crowd, “[Duncan] really loves you all. He cares about you and wants to do the right things.
“We call him a friend, which is what he is to so many.”
Sundquist said when he saw “Jimmy come along, I knew he was going to be a great one,” and especially praised Duncan’s “honesty and patriotism …he is just a wonderful human being.”
The former governor also took the opportunity to encourage the Republicans to vote for their own this year.
“This is an important year, not only for Tennessee but also America,” Sundquist said, calling out U.S. Senatorial candidate and former governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat.
“[Bredesen] says he is going to help Donald Trump on occasion … but he will never support Donald Trump,” he said
“It is up to us to get together,” Sundquist added. “We are the party of America and the party of what is right. We need to get together and figure out how we can work together and elect (Republican) representatives to the House and the governorship.
“As Republicans, we are protectors of the flag, and we cannot fail to support it.”
Blackburn also praised Duncan’s service, noting the consolidation of Veterans programs occurring under his direction.
“He knows there is no greater duty than to serve those who have served us,” Blackburn said.
Upon taking the podium, Duncan discussed his family instead of politics
“I want to reminisce about family … I am so proud [of them]. I won the lottery with my parents,” he began. “My father was the greatest man I have ever known. ... [and] I was blessed with a wonderful mother.
“God really blessed me [too] the day I found [my wife] Lynn Duncan. We have had a lot more good times than bad,” Duncan added.
“I could never have stayed [there] without her.”
Duncan also pointed to his role models, who included his father; his uncle, retired Tennessee state judge Joe Duncan; and his former law partner, Zane Daniel.
