[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO JIM KETCHUM

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, 25 years ago, we created the Office of 
Curator of the U.S. Senate. And since that time, that job has been 
filled by just one man--Jim Ketchum.
  Jim has now announced his retirement, and it is entirely fitting that 
a resolution we adopted earlier this week designated him as curator 
emeritus of the Senate.
  After working in the Office of the White House Curator for many 
years, Jim came to the Senate in 1970, when he accepted an invitation 
to organize the Office of Senate Curator.
  For the past quarter century, Jim has devoted his career to 
preserving the works of art in the Senate and the history and 
traditions of this institution.
  Jim was the driving force behind the restoration of the old Senate 
and old Supreme Court Chambers, the President's room, and countless 
other important Senate treasures.
  Painting and documents have been recovered and preserved due to Jim's 
tireless efforts. He has helped us all better understand this 
institution and the Capitol through exhibitions, lectures, 
publications, and other educational programs.
  I know Jim is especially proud of the exhibit, ``a necessary fence * 
* *: The Senate's first century,'' which opened in the summer of 1989 
in celebration of the Senate's bicentennial.
  Jim has also made an important contribution to protecting the dignity 
of this institution by helping to develop legislation prohibiting abuse 
of the Senate seal.
  Finally, one cannot mention Jim without remembering his efforts on 
behalf of the State of the Union dinners. I am just one of many 
Senators who has enjoyed one of Jim's trademark chicken pies.
  Mr. President, for all that he has done for this institution, Jim has 
truly earned the designation as ``curator emeritus.''
  I know all Senators will join me in thanking Jim for his 
extraordinary efforts in preserving the history and traditions of this 
institution, and in extending our best wishes to him, as he and his 
wife, Barbara, head to their farmhouse in Pennsylvania.


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