Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) delivered remarks at the Kansas State Historical Society’s Kansas Day celebration at the State Capitol in Topeka. Joining Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas filmmaker Kevin Willmott, Davids reflected on Kansas’ history as a free state and the path forward for its future.

Davids’ appearance was part of her ongoing “Kansas Strong Tour,” a multi-day tour across Kansas focused on meeting directly with Kansans, highlighting local industries, and hearing firsthand how Congress can help lower costs, work across the aisle, fight extremism, and bring stability back to the federal government. Following her time in Topeka today, she will head to Wichita, Dodge City, and Colby.

Read Davids’ written remarks below or watch here:

“Thank you, Patrick, for the introduction — and thank you to the Kansas Historical Society for hosting this celebration and Maria for that wonderful performance. It’s an honor to be here alongside my friend, Governor Laura Kelly, and Kevin Willmott, and to join so many Kansans who care deeply about our shared history and our shared future.

“Before we begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that besides being Kansas Day,  today also marks one year since the tragic plane collision involving a flight from Wichita to D.C. The loss of 67 lives — friends, family members, and neighbors — is still deeply felt across Kansas and throughout our local aviation community.

“As we remember those we lost, my colleagues and I in Congress remain committed to doing everything we can to keep people safe and to help ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.

“Now, Kansas Day is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder of who we are and where we come from. And a reminder that chili and cinnamon rolls always go together, no matter if people say otherwise.

“Kansas was born out of struggle.

“Long before we became the 34th state, people here fought — sometimes literally — over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free state. Kansans chose freedom. They chose self-determination. And they chose to stand up for the idea that our future should be shaped by fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all.

“That choice still defines us. From Bleeding Kansas to the civil rights movement, from labor organizing to the fight for women’s rights and voting rights, Kansas has never shied away from hard conversations or hard work.

“We’ve always understood that progress isn’t automatic — it’s something you have to fight for, protect, and pass on to the next generation.

“As someone who was raised in a military family by a single mom, I grew up learning about service — about showing up, doing your part, and leaving things better than you found them.

“Those values align closely with the Kansas story.

“Kansans take care of one another. We don’t wait around for someone else to fix things — we pitch in, especially when there’s snow to shovel, like we’ve seen plenty of lately.

“You see that grit and responsibility in our farmers and ranchers, whose work has sustained Kansas since before statehood and continues to keep our communities strong today.

“That spirit is why I’m proud to be here today as part of my Kansas Strong Tour — because keeping Kansas strong doesn’t just mean honoring our past. It means doing the work, right now, to build a future where every Kansan has a fair shot.

“In Congress, that’s what guides my work every day.

“I’ve worked to lower costs for Kansans because a strong Kansas is one where working people aren’t stretched to the breaking point just to get by. And I’ve made it a priority to work across the aisle — because Kansas has never been about rigid ideology.

“We’re practical. We’re solutions-oriented. And we know that lasting progress usually comes when people are willing to sit down, listen, and find common ground. 

“At the same time, being honest about our history matters — all of it. That includes acknowledging the painful chapters, like the legacy of Indian boarding schools, which Kevin has helped bring to light through his work.

“That’s especially important right now, as we see renewed attempts to divide people and push extreme ideologies that threaten the very freedoms Kansans fought for from the beginning.

“Remembering our full history is one way we stay grounded in our shared values. That, too, is part of keeping Kansas strong.

“Kansas Day is a celebration — but it’s also a call to responsibility.

“The people who fought to make Kansas a free state didn’t do it just for themselves. They did it for future generations they would never meet. We owe them — and our kids and grandkids — that same long view.

“I’m proud to be a Kansan. I’m proud of our history. And I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure Kansas remains a place where opportunity is real, communities are strong, and freedom isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we protect.

“Happy Kansas Day!

“Thank you for being here, and thank you for all you do to keep Kansas strong for generations to come.”