[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO DICK COMBS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to mourn the death 
of a close friend, Mr. Dick Combs. Dick died last Wednesday from 
complications after heart surgery.
  Over the years, he touched the lives of many people in northern 
Kentucky. Dick was a very special man, but one thing in particular made 
him one of a kind. It was his trademark green comb. Everytime he 
introduced himself to someone he would hand them a green pocket comb 
with his name on it. There's probably not a person in northern Kentucky 
that hasn't combed his or her hair with a comb from Dick. But this 
wasn't his only trademark, he was also seen nearly everyday driving 
around town in his 1968 red convertible Ford Mustang, smiling and 
waving to everyone he passed. And who could forget his old fishing hat, 
an item he would never leave the house without.
  The World War II veteran was elected Kenton County commissioner in 
1984, a victory that is in the record books and the subject of 
political trivia questions across the Bluegrass State. Dick was the 
first Republican in 75 years to win a seat on the fiscal court. He also 
served as a member of the Kenton County GOP executive committee, the 
Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, the Boone-Kenton Cable TV 
Board, and he was a founding member of the Northern Kentucky Salvation 
Army Advisory Board.
  With all his political activities you would think that Dick wouldn't 
have time for anything else. But that wasn't the case, he always found 
time for his true loves: his family and his community.
  He kept busy in the community by getting involved in the Fort 
Mitchell Kiwanis and Optimist clubs, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of 
Commerce, and the American Animal Association. His care and support for 
stray animals was even recognized by the animal rights community, who 
endorsed his candidacy. Dick would go out of his way to help his animal 
friends. He would even go as far as leaving his garage door open at 
night so any stray animal could have a safe haven from the elements.
  Dick was also a deacon at Fort Mitchell Baptist Church for more than 
35 years. There wasn't a Sunday that went by that Dick wasn't standing 
outside the church greeting every parishioner that walked through the 
doors. To some it may have seemed like a small gesture, but to 
churchgoers it wasn't a Sunday without seeing his smiling face. His 
absence at church last Sunday was felt by members young and old, 
including a young boy who cried when he didn't see Dick at the church's 
door.
  Mr. President, I ask you to join me in extending my heartfelt 
sympathy and prayers to his family and to all those whose lives he 
touched. Dick, will be missed.


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