[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S8581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO HARRY RUTH

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a man 
who has played a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of 
western Kentucky. Harry Ruth, president of the Greater Paducah Economic 
Development Council, will be able to retire with the satisfaction of a 
job well done.
  When Ruth interviewed for the job in 1989, the committee members who 
interviewed him were immediately convinced that he was the right person 
for the job. Aubrey Lippert, a bank president in Paducah, told the 
Paducah Sun that Ruth ``has the ability to walk into a room full of 
strangers and make everyone feel comfortable''.
  Since he became president of GPEDC, Harry Ruth has given ``100 
percent of his ability and energy'' to making Paducah and the region a 
better place to live. According to the Paducah Sun, Ruth has played a 
large part in bringing to Paducah a great deal of infrastructure 
necessary to expand economic development. This includes the Paducah 
Information Age Park, a 600-acre high-technology park on the outskirts 
of the city and a University of Kentucky engineering extension program 
that will open in about 2 years. In addition, a new industrial park is 
in the planning stages and the community has improved its image 
considerably.
  Further proof of the growth that has taken place during Ruth's tenure 
can be found in the general economic indicators in the community. There 
are more jobs in Paducah than there were 7 years ago, employment is up, 
unemployment is down, and retail sales are up.
  Dwane Tucker, who worked closely with Ruth on the Information Age 
Park project, told the Paducah Sun that Ruth ``gave an enormous amount 
of time to positioning [the] community for long-term growth . . . He 
put the needs of the organization above his own needs.'' Tucker added, 
``He's also exceptionally skilled at building long-term relationships 
with people and organizations.''
  It's said that a man's greatest legacy is his friends--and in that 
regard, Harry Ruth has a rich legacy indeed. As Harry closes this 
particular chapter in his life, he can take special satisfaction in the 
relationships he has built. It is with pleasure that I count myself 
among Harry Ruth's many friends in Kentucky.
  Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to Harry Ruth for his 
dedicated service to western Kentucky.

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