NEWPORT-Over 100 local Democrats gathered Saturday at Newport's City Park to eat bar-be-q and talk politics at the group's Roosevelt Day picnic.

Several Democratic leaders urged party members to work together for victory in upcoming elections.

Chief speaker was Robert Russell, Morristown native and now East Tennessee State University administrator, who is running for U. S. House of Representatives.

Russell, introduced by local party leader Marjorie Ramsey, told the audience, "There are lots of issues we care about, but Rep. David Davis (R) has nothing to say about them."

Russell, who seeks the Congressional seat now occupied by Davis, stated, "Rep. Davis didn't address the issues of insurance, the decline in the amount of fossil fuel resources, and the spiraling tuition costs."

According to Russell, millions of Americans lack health insurance, including 9 million children.

In reference to the fossil fuel crisis, Russell maintained, "America needs to pursue the development of alternative fuel sources. I'm not beholding to any oil companies or to any drug companies. I will be beholding to you, the people."

Russell went on to admit, "I come from a long line of Republicans. At least five or six generations of my family always voted Republican, but for the past several years, my dad has voted Democratic, because he knows that is in his best interest."

Russell told the group, "People from East Tennessee have pride in our heritage and our communities. We want the security of knowing there will be jobs for our children...that they will have money for gas and groceries. East Tennessee needs someone accountable in Washington. I will be accountable to you."

Calling the numbers of Americans without insurance "absolutely shameful," Russell said, "It is more costly to have uninsured people than it is to have them insured."

Turning his attention to education, Russell expressed his desire "to make sure that students have the opportunity to go to college or trade school. Any student should be able to afford the costs of a state school's education."

Pledging to "roll back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy," Russell added, "The working men and women of America must have money in their pockets. We have to take care of America first."

State Representative Eddie Yokley received a huge round of applause from the group when Ramsey described him as "Cocke County's best friend in Nashville."

"I know we are on the right side of the people issues in Nashville," said Yokley. "We promote people as best we can. We're working to help the elderly stay in their homes, improve the status of veterans, and help the working man,"

The final speaker of the evening, Addison Pate, who serves as press secretary for the Democratic caucus in Nashville, said, "It's an amazing year for the Democrats and for the Republicans, too. We can take a long time talking about all the bad things that have happened. But we have just had an historic Presidential primary, one with record turnouts to vote in every state."

"As a Democrat, I hope you can embrace and absorb this history now in progress," he continued. "This is the time to be an American. Our government has to do right by everybody. We are supposed to be the greatest nation in the world, yet we have people dying of starvation in our streets. It's time for Democrats to step above the fray and make a difference in America's society."