NORMAL - Invoking the Springfield homecoming speech that kicked off Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Dr. Bill Roy felt like he was home again too Sunday.

The Central Illinois native and former Democratic congressman from Kansas was the featured speaker at the McLean County Democrats annual dinner at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center.

Roy, 81, a veteran who grew up on a farm near Lexington and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1945, practiced medicine in Kansas before serving in Congress from 1971 to 1975. He later lost a U.S. Senate bid to Bob Dole, and he now lives in Kansas.

"I'm actually the proverbial doctor, lawyer and Indian chief," Roy told the crowd of about 300 in the Brown Ballroom during a speech that mixed humor with public policy discussion.

In addition to his medical degree from Northwestern University, Roy has a law degree and was made an honorary chief of a Kickapoo tribe - "full headdress and all."

Roy's wife, Jane, is related to the Central Illinois Penn family, including the McLean County Democrats' chair, John Penn.

"Nepotism is alright," Roy joked, "as long as it's kept in the family."

When asked what he considered the most important issue facing the country, he said it was health care.

"Some sort of national health care program is essential," he said. "It would be better handled on the state level, but it's just too big."

Roy also lamented the conflict between Democratic leadership in Illinois, specifically Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Roy said he first got into politics because of the Kent State shootings in 1970.

"If kids are killing kids, I'd better not buy the condo… . I'd think I think I'd better run for Congress," he said.

Roy, who writes a column for the Topeka Capital-Journal, said he was happy with the dinner's turnout and was pleasantly surprised to see so many Democrats in McLean County.

"McLean County is closer to my heart than it should be for any rational person," he said.

The McLean County Democrats were also scheduled to honor the winner of their John Baldini Scholarship during the fundraiser. Elizabeth Guth of Hudson won the $1,500 scholarship.