By Bennett Haeberle WDRB-TV Fox 41 News bhaeberle@fox41.com
LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who drew harsh criticism during the election for his statements on civil rights, was among a handful of elected leaders who drew applause Monday night at St. Stephen Church during an event celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event, called "Education is King," centered around the need to reduce the so-called "achievement gap" among African-Americans and improve their access to education.
Dr. Kevin Cosby, President of Simmons College, said Pell Grants would soon be available for students attending the traditionally African-American college.
Paul has made conflicting statements about education and budget cuts at the federal level, first saying he would abolish the Department of Education last year, and then later saying he would not.
Paul declined to answer further questions clarifying his position Monday night.
Cosby said he recently met with Paul at St. Stephen Church, an announcement that drew a large round of applause from audience members.
Congressman John Yarmuth also drew applause as Cosby announced to the audience that Yarmuth is a frequent financial contributor to Simmons College.
When asked Monday night to explain what he thinks Americans should continue to take away from Dr. King's legacy, Paul said:
"I see the legacy as being beyond the problems we had in the 1960s," Paul said. "One of things that I like to quote is that he talked about how that any law is unjust that a numerical majority forces on a numerical minority. That had to do with Jim Crow laws, because they were making laws that only applied to certain people. It was obviously unjust. But it still applies to today's time like when you do a business, I shouldn't apply a law that gives only a tax exemptions to you. The laws should be universal."
Paul interrupted a reporter's question asking for clarification on his stance on the federal Pell Grant program because he said the program's intermission had ended and he did want to hold a "press conference."
In recent published reports, Paul has said he opposes raising the federal government's debt ceiling, something that Congress will likely take up as the continuation budget is set to expire in March. Paul has suggested that budget cuts are needed.
