Each state got the mic at the Republican National Convention to formally nominate the party’s presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump. Delegations took the opportunity to boast about the best from their state or territory. Some of the most entertaining things states had to say:
Alabama: “The great state of Alabama, the home of national champion football teams Alabama and Auburn, the home of the Saturn 5 rocket that took us to the moon, the place where we had two of the greatest Trump rallies in the nation's history.”
American Samoa: “The territory of American Samoa, in the southernmost reaches of U.S. soil, the greatest importer of NFL players.”
Arkansas: “Arkansas, land of opportunity and birthplace of Johnny Cash and Al Green, we're open for business and growing jobs and manufacturing and high tech and Republicans control every statewide office, the legislature and the entire congressional delegates. Unemployment is at its lowest in history. We got the best duck hunting on earth, we're number one in rice production, we raise delicious catfish, we cast our lines for world-class trout.”
Connecticut: “Mr. Chairman, I come from the land where we manufacture Pez, nuclear submarines and the home of the WWE, where men are men and the women are champions.”
Idaho: “I'm from the state of Idaho where we have famous potatoes. Idaho is the most Republican state in the nation. We are so Republican that when we say the pledge of allegiance, it's to the republicans for which it stands. Our entire congressional delegation is Republican, all of our statewide constitutional officers are Republican and our legislature is 80% Republican. We are, indeed, a red state.”
Kansas: “Kansas, home of the greatest fans of the reigning World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals. Proud home of the iconic Bob Dole.”
Kentucky: “Mr. Chairman, from the bluegrass state, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the home of Churchill Downs and American Pharoah, the source of bluegrass music and the home of Bill Monroe, from the state where the largest Toyota manufacturing plant is located, the maker of the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Corvette, from the state that produces all the bourbon fit to drink in the world, from a state where our citizens still respect God and the constitution and our military and our police officers, it is our honor to cast our vote.”
Minnesota: “On behalf of the great state of Minnesota, home of 10,000 lakes, home of Spam and home of the late, great Prince.”
Missouri: “Kansas, I love you, but Missouri is the home to the World Series champions Kansas City Royals. Missouri, home of 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Missouri, the birthplace of talk radio and AM 1120 KMOX, the voice of St. Louis. Missouri, home of the 12-time delegate conservative icon with us tonight, Phyllis Schlafly. Missouri, birthplace of ragtime music and our great Senator Roy Blunt.”
Nebraska: “Nebraska, the good life with great opportunity. The home of Silicon Prairie News, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, the number one beef-producing state in the union, a place where people find their happiness from honest work and where a person's word is their bond.”
North Dakota: “The great state of North Dakota casts as the home of the current and five consecutive-year national FCS football champions, the North Dakota State University Bison, and at the same time the home of the national hockey champions, the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, and the only state in the United States last year to actually grow younger.”
North Carolina: “North Carolina, the land of the long-leafed pine and the land where the sun doth shine, where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great. North Carolina, home of the largest military installations in the world, North Carolina with the majestic Appalachian Mountains on the west and the beautiful crystal coast on our east.”
Oregon: “The land of unrivaled natural beauty, snowy mountain peaks, majestic river valleys, serene high deserts, the great American pinot noir, Tillamook cheese and hazelnuts, home of the great Congressman Greg Walden and the reigning Major League Soccer champion, the Portland Timbers, home of Tracktown, USA and the place where Nike made ducks and beavers cool.”