[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO DONN TIBBETTS, UNION LEADER STATE HOUSE BUREAU CHIEF, ON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. New Hampshire's media corps will 
suffer a great loss in January 1998 when Donn Tibbetts steps down after 
25 years as The Union Leader newspaper's Concord, New Hampshire Bureau 
Chief. Donn is a New Hampshire institution, and will be missed by all 
of us who call him our friend.
  Donn's career in journalism has spanned nearly 50 years--first as a 
broadcaster and then, since April 3, 1972, as a reporter and columnist 
for the Loeb newspapers. He has covered the often-colorful politics of 
the Granite State, writing the well-known ``Under the State House 
Dome'' column. As Dean of the State House press corps, he has been a 
leader in chronicling presidential primaries, state elections, nine 
governors, and the State Legislature--the largest in the nation. He has 
traveled to national conventions for the Democrat and Republican 
parties, interviewed presidents, and even sat down to talk with me on 
many occasions! My interviews with Donn always left us sharing a 
laugh--and the resulting stories were always fair, thorough, and 
forthright, as is always Donn's style.
  Donn's knowledge and expertise about New Hampshire politics is second 
to none. He is the author of ``The Closest U.S. Senate Race in 
History,'' a book about the hotly contested, historic election for New 
Hampshire's U.S. Senate seat in 1974 between John Durkin and Louis 
Wyman--an election that was won by one vote, with a subsequent second 
election being held the following year.
  Donn's accomplishments--from sports disk jockey to television host to 
political columnist--have brought him many accolades from distinguished 
individuals across the country. The late William Loeb, frank publisher 
of the Union Leader, said Donn is ``a man of great integrity.'' Former 
New Hampshire Governor John Sununu said of Donn: ``Nobody is fairer and 
nobody is more of a credit to their profession than Donn. . .''
  Donn is originally from Manchester, and then went on to attend 
Lasalle Military Academy in Long Island, and the University of New 
Hampshire. He served 28 years in the military and the reserves with the 
same honor and distinction he has brought to his career as a 
journalist. He has been a community and civic leader, as well as a 
dedicated husband, father and grandfather.
  Retirement is a time of reflection, and I know that Donn will spend 
his retirement years enjoying the memories of his rich and fulfilling 
career. I have been told that he is leaving for Corpus Christi, Texas 
the day after he retires, to spend time traveling with his wife, Janie, 
and visiting his seven grandchildren and twin great-granddaughters.
  Donn, I wish you all the best for a wonderful retirement. You are a 
man of character, commitment and dignity. We will all miss you.

                          ____________________