BENTON, KY – Judge Shea Nickell is a self-proclaimed "Barkley Buff".
"Preserving our heritage is important," says Nickell. "Younger generations need to know who Alben Barkley is and how significant he was to our area."
Barkley, who served as the Vice President of the United States under Harry S. Truman from 1949 to 1953, was a Paducah native. In addition to serving as the Vice President, he also held offices in both the United State Senate and House of Representatives.
On August 21, Nickell joined the Marshall County Public Library in a program designed to keep the memory of Barkley alive. Nickell brought several photographs and documents from the former Vice President, and audience members shared their own memories of Barkley. Nickell also presented framed pictures of Barkley to Ginger Russell and Justin Lamb. The pictures will be displayed at the Marshall County Public Library @Benton, the Marshall County Courthouse, the Judicial Building, and the Marshall County High School.
The local history session was held as part of the library's Lunch and Learn series, which is a free educational program open to the public. The next session, which is scheduled for October 16, will focus on the new Affordable Care Act.