CONCORD-- Secretary of State Bill Gardner was unanimously elected to a 17th term as secretary of state.

Gardner has been serving in the position since 1976 and is currently the longest service secretary of state in the country.

"We have all played a part and shared the memories that future generations will only be able to read about," Gardner told legislatures.

State Sen. Jack Barnes (R-Raymond) nominated Gardner for secretary of state and the nomination was seconded by state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester) who was Gardner's high school civics teacher.

Gardner also quoted from a 1892 speech given by Frederick Douglas in New Hampshire. Douglas was in the state in 1892 to honor New Hampshire resident John Parker Hale who was the first United States Senator to call for the abolition of slavery.

"This nation has certainly been turned upside down in a very short time," Gardner said quoting from the Douglas speech.