[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 146 (Monday, October 27, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BOB CARTER

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
career of Bob Carter, an outstanding newsman, who is retiring after 
more than four decades in the news business. Bob served for the last 28 
years as president and general manager of the Kentucky New Era in 
Hopkinsville, KY. Bob is a great Kentuckian who has worked hard for the 
people of his community. He is a great friend, and he truly will be 
missed.
  Bob was 19 years old when he started working for the Kentucky New 
Era. He took the job so he could save enough money to go to college to 
study architecture. But along the way, he met his future wife Ann and 
decided to call Hopkinsville his home. His first job at the paper was 
selling ads, but after 5 years, he was named manager of the advertising 
department. In 1969, Bob became president and general manager of the 
paper. At that time, the newspaper had about 30 employees and a daily 
circulation of 7,000 readers. Today the newspaper has 82 employees, a 
circulation of 15,500, and several holdings, including the local 
television station.
  At the beginning of his career, Bob was primarily interested in the 
business aspect of the newspaper. He fought to get the newspaper 
headquartered in its current home, and to invest heavily in new 
equipment. It's an investment that paid off. In the early 1970's, 
Hopkinsville's economy began to grow and so did the Kentucky New Era. 
And what better way to sum it up than to quote Bob from his own 
newspaper, ``We grabbed onto that whirlwind and rode with it.'' He went 
on to add, ``We became a cheerleader for the community. We were a 
supporter and a critic. We challenged some people to do things that 
weren't being done.''
  Retirement in Bob's case doesn't mean that he will slow down. He will 
continue to serve as chairman of the Kentucky New Era Board of 
Directors, and will work in an advisory capacity to assist his 
replacements through the end of the year. Bob will remain active in his 
community, as a member of the Association of the U.S. Army, the Chamber 
of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee, and as the newspaper's 
``ambassador'' at Fort Campbell. He will also be able to spend more 
time with his wife, Ann, and his two daughters, Beth and Jini.
  Mr. President, I commend Bob Carter for his outstanding service to 
the people of Hopkinsville, KY. I ask that you and my fellow colleagues 
join me in recognizing the career of this outstanding Kentuckian, and 
wishing him well in all his future pursuits.

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