Auburn, New York (WSYR-TV)- A roaring applause welcomed Governor Sarah Palin as she took to the podium on the steps of City Hall, Saturday in Auburn.
Thousands of people, stood shoulder to shoulder on the streets of Auburn, as the Alaskan Governor and former Republican Vice Presidential candidate spoke. She opened with a joke about a painting of William Seward, former U.S. Secretary of State and Auburn Native, she received.
"They're looking at a globe and they're pointing to Alaska in this painting and I'll betcha anything what Seward was saying as he was pointing out, lookey there, you can see Russia from Alaska".
She told the audience how great it was to be in the city and reminded listeners of Seward's hard work.
"Though yes he was ridiculed for recognizing what Alaska had to offer, yet he took a path that wasn't too easy, but it was the right patch to help secure our union".
William Seward played a pivotal role in the purchase of Alaska in 1867. After Palin's speech, she attended a private tour and reception at the Seward House.
After her speech at Auburn City Hall, Palin attended a private $150 dollar-a-plate fundraising event. During her address to supporters, she spoke about President Obama, and what she thought about the bail out plan. It was a much different tone from her speech at City Hall, and called into question how the White House has handled the economic crisis.
AUBURN, N.Y. (AP) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin continues her visit to Auburn on to help the Cayuga County city celebrate its inaugural Founder's Day and 50 years of Alaska statehood.
Palin is taking part in a parade and later will speak at a fundraiser at the Seward House, which is organizing the event.
Genesee Street through Auburn is closed to traffic. Shuttle buses are running from Cayuga Community College, Auburn High School, and The Auburn Holiday Inn.
Palin will speak at noon on the steps of City Hall.
Alaska and Auburn are linked through William Seward, who lived in Auburn and was secretary of state under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Seward negotiated the deal to buy Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
But June 6 has no historical significance for Auburn or Alaska.
Alaska became a state in January 1959. Seward Day, an Alaskan state holiday, falls on the last Monday in March.
