[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 39 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO JANIE G. CATRON

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it should surprise none of her 
acquaintances that when Janie Catron retired from my office, her 
farewell statement was motivational as well as emotional. For those of 
us who have known and worked with Janie for years, her parting words 
were an affirmation of her remarkable drive and sense of purpose. For 
those whose association with her is relatively recent, it was a 
memorable primer on how to succeed through hard work.
  Janie Catron was, officially, my eastern Kentucky field 
representative from the beginning of my first term in the Senate until 
her retirement this winter. But her official title did not do justice 
to the work she did. Janie was not just my representative in eastern 
Kentucky, she was the region's representative in my office. And she 
remains the staunchest advocate of that very special place. Anyone 
without a personal grounding in eastern Kentucky need only spend time 
with Janie to know that the people and the area are extraordinary.
  I will not soon forget our travels over Appalachian mountain roads, 
the stunning vistas--notably unmarred by guardrails--framed by Janie's 
keen insight and observations as we drove to meet with constituents. 
Staffers, present and former, will long treasure the tours she arranged 
and the hospitality she and her husband, Frank, provided at their home 
in Corbin.
  Janie fostered much of the cohesiveness which has made our office 
more than simply a collection of individuals. She has worked to instill 
a sense of shared purpose, responsibility, and loyalty. In fact, 
loyalty was the thrust of her farewell statement. It is a quality she 
has personified through deeds as well as words. It was never more 
evident than the day last November when she summoned the strength to 
speak through grief and deliver a stirring eulogy in the Mansfield Room 
during a memorial service for a member of our staff. In reflecting on 
this aspect of Janie, one could substitute the term ``love'' for 
loyalty because it is so clearly evident in her actions and 
achievements. Loyalty to and love of nation, state, party, family, 
friends and colleagues--a hallmark of Janie Catron and, if she has 
anything to say about it, qualities she will impart on others.
  Born and reared in Pulaski County, KY Janie has stated that she was 
born a Democrat but changed her registration upon marrying a 
Republican. She has often said that she became a Republican by 
convenience and remained one out of conviction. As anyone who knew her 
would expect, however, Janie was not just a registered Republican--she 
was an outspoken, unabashed, active big-``R'' Republican. This was 
rather bold in a State where, until recently, Republican were an 
endangered species.
  Mr. President, on March 11, Janie Catron will be duly recognized when 
she is inducted into the Fifth Congressional District Republican Hall 
of Fame. When she receives this honor at the Fifth District Lincoln Day 
Dinner she will joining other notables such as the legendary Kentucky 
Senator John Sherman Cooper and Congressman Tim Lee Carter. It is a 
distinction well-deserved.
   I am honored to have been associated with Janie these many years. 
Her departure leaves a void in my office that probably never will be 
filled because, by force of her personality and energy, Janie created a 
niche. I am confident that I speak for my entire office when I say we 
miss her and wish her well in future endeavors.


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