[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               KERMIT EDNEY: BROADCASTER AND CIVIC LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today I mourn the passing 
of a good friend and a great citizen of western North Carolina. Kermit 
Edney of Hendersonville, NC, passed away on Sunday, April 30, at the 
age of 75.
  Kermit was a marvelous broadcaster. His morning program on WHKP, 
``The Old Good Morning Man,'' in Hendersonville was a perennial 
favorite. Four generations of Henderson County residents dressed, ate 
their breakfast, and drove to work listening to him. He began his 
career in radio broadcasting with WHKP in 1946 and through hard work he 
eventually purchased the station. Kermit also built and operated WWIT 
Radio in Canton and WKIT in Greenville, SC. He served on the board of 
the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and the board of the 
Protestant Radio and Television Commission based in Atlanta. Kermit's 
diligence and dedication to broadcasting was recognized in 1996 as he 
was named to North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
  Broadcasting was Kermit's career, but his passion was community 
service. The list of community and nonprofit organizations that he 
served is almost endless. He served as chairman of the Western North 
Carolina Planning Commission and the Upper French Broad Economic 
Development Commission as well as the board of the Governor's Western 
Residence in Asheville. Kermit also was a member of the board of the 
YMCA and the president of the board of the Pardee Hospital for 12 
years. As the president of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and 
Merchants Association, he was instrumental in leading the effort to 
revitalize downtown Hendersonville. North Carolina Governor Jim Martin 
had the wisdom to appoint Kermit to serve on the North Carolina Board 
of Transportation.
  Kermit's devotion to charity in Hendersonville is an example for all; 
he founded the local chapter of the United Way and the Community 
Foundation. His dedication to excellence in education is unparalleled. 
He served on the boards of Brevard College and UNCA and pushed for UNCA 
to be included in the North Carolina System.
  I know that my colleagues in the House will join me in remembering 
this great man and the dedication that he had in making Hendersonville 
and western North Carolina a much better place.

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