U.S. Senator Rand Paul made a brief stopover in Albany last Thursday with an agenda of honoring one of the community’s most successful small business owners, and to enjoy what has become known as some of the best barbecue in the south.
Paul presented Hunter Shearer of Hunter’s Bar B Q with an official copy of the Congressional Record from April 15, 2021, when Paul honored Shearer by naming the establishment the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Paul, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, spoke briefly to the large crowd gathered at the restaurant located just north of Albany on U.S. 127.
Following a Paul staff member reading the verbiage from the official senate proclamation entered by Paul on April 15, the senator gave the floor to Shearer, who made a brief presentation as well.
In part, Shearer told the crowd:
“I do welcome everybody, I did not prepare a speech nor do I have one, but I do want to send a shout out to a lot of my good folks.
“I want to thank the good Lord, number one, who makes it all possible.  I want to thank my wonderful family and friends, my work family as well, who are the real backbone behind our work that goes into all of this and all the other things we’re involved in – I do appreciate all of them.
“My wonderful wife and children for their support, my mother and my grandparents.
“I was thinking this morning about what today was, being today that 76 years ago Japan surrendered to the United States and my late grandfather (Bill Shearer) who passed away just over a year ago, being a World War II veteran, he was a big inspiration and so were all of my other family members.
“Thinking of the soldiers and all that we have going on today we have chosen to fly the flag at half staff.
“We welcome everyone here today and we are thankful for all the support that the community and everybody has given,   because they make it all possible.”
Senator Rand complimented him on his talk, noting “that’s pretty good for not having a speech prepared” as he joined those gathered Thursday in offering up a round of applause for Shearer.
“Thanks to everyone for coming today and now we’re going to enjoy some barbeque,” Paul said before sitting at one of the outdoor tables with a plate of barbeque in front of him.