[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO AL SMITH

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize an 
icon of Kentucky journalism. For over 20 years, Al Smith has been part 
of what he calls ``front-porch, cracker-barrel kind of discussion'' on 
Kentucky radio. But part of that career, and part of a Kentucky 
tradition, has ended with his announcement of retirement.
  Albert P. Smith, Jr., was born in Sarasota, FL, but has lived in 
Kentucky since 1958. When Al was 15, he entered the American Legion's 
high school oratorical contest. Living with his parents and 
grandparents in Hendersonville, TN, he received coaching for the 
contest from his grandmother and won the top national prize, a $4,000 
college scholarship. He then traveled to New England, the Midwest and 
the South giving the speech in cities throughout the region. It was on 
this trip that Al sharpened his speaking skills.
  In the mid 1960's, Al bought a 10 percent interest in the 
Russellville News-Democrat and Leader. That interest eventually grew to 
his ownership of six weekly newspapers. In 1974, while Al was editor of 
the News-Democrat, he became a household name as host of the radio 
program, ``Comment on Kentucky.'' Once a week, he would drive 180 miles 
to host the show. The man who hired Al to do that job, O. Leonard 
Press, told the Lexington Herald-Leader, ``I can't imagine the Kentucky 
landscape without Al.''
  Al is still host and producer of ``Comment on Kentucky,'' Kentucky 
Educational Television's longest-running show. But last month, Al 
retired from his job as host of ``PrimeLine with Al Smith'' which is 
broadcast statewide via radio. He never planned to retire from the 
show; but recent health problems have necessitated a change in his busy 
lifestyle. His regular listeners will miss him greatly.
  But perhaps Al's biggest fan is his wife of 29 years, Martha Helen. 
In an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader, Martha Helen said of 
Al, ``I still believe Al is the most interesting person I ever met.''
  Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to Al Smith for his 
dedication to Kentucky journalism and I wish him great happiness in his 
retirement.

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