[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 119 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S10505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      REMEMBERING GEORGE VUKELICH
 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, George Andrew Vukelich was born 
in South Milwaukee.
  A radio personality, a journalist, a writer, an environmentalist, a 
political activist, George was an institution in Wisconsin. He would 
bristle at this thought, but it is undeniably true.
  I knew George long before he knew me, having listened to him on the 
radio for years.
  As Papa Hambone and Bill Patrick, George was a well known radio 
personality in Madison. After studying broadcasting in Toronto under 
Lorne Greene, he began his radio career in the early 1950's. Over the 
years, his radio shows ranged from storytelling to jazz to political 
commentary, and were as much a part of life in Madison as the lakes.
  George was a dedicated environmentalist who loved the outdoors, and 
for anyone who listened to his radio shows or read his articles or 
books, that love was contagious.
  A gifted writer, George was honored by the Wisconsin Academy of 
Sciences, Arts and Letters, the Women's International League for Peace 
and Freedom, the Council of Wisconsin Writers, the Milwaukee Press 
Club, and Trout Unlimited, among others.
  A journalist of fierce commitment and passionate belief, George's 
columns would skewer the powerful and champion the powerless with wit 
and ardor. And, along with his wife Helen, George lived his beliefs, a 
character trait notably present in their children.
  George loved baseball and fishing. He loved politics and the written 
word. Most of all, he loved Helen and his family.
  George Vukelich died this past July 4. That his death fell on our 
Nation's birthday, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of 
Independence, is fitting, for I can think of no one who better 
reflected the joyous spirit and burning ideals that day represents.
  Thousands have lost a good friend, and the north country has lost a 
talented and fervent advocate. As one friend wrote of George's passing: 
For one night at least, we will know why the loons cry.
  Papa Hambone used to end his program with: ``For good food, for good 
wine, and most of all, for good friends, thank God.
  His thousands of friends will add: And for George Vukelich, thank 
God.


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