[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO RON GIST

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my friend and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity brother Ron Gist, as founder of 
Gist Piano Services, on the occasion of his success with his Louisville 
piano dealership.
  After attending the University of Louisville, Ron started his piano 
dealership with only $1000 and two used pianos in 1971. Many years 
later, after persevering through a tornado in 1974, a devastating fire 
that nearly destroyed his business, and the hardship of an unfortunate 
economic downturn, Gist Piano Services has grown to become one of 
Louisville's most highly regarded piano dealerships, restorers, and 
consultants in the region.
  As a natural salesman, Ron's success has led to profitable 
relationships with the Louisville Orchestra, Kentucky Center for the 
Arts, and Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. Also, Ron is one of few in 
the country selected for the honor to represent Steinway pianos. Ron 
has also provided piano services to other prestigious performance 
venues and for popular entertainers like James Taylor and Carol King.
  Ron should not only be congratulated for his success with Gist Piano 
Services, but he should be recognized for his service to the community. 
He has dedicated himself to making a difference in people's lives 
through music. By creating more avenues for young people to express 
themselves, like through playing the piano, children can learn how to 
imagine, create, and organize the power of music. These skills can 
later be used as key tools to succeed in the future as they enter 
adulthood. Thank you, Ron, for ensuring a better future for this state 
as the younger generations are better equipped to lead Kentucky.
  Your hard work continues to display an unswerving commitment to the 
people of Kentucky and possesses the respect and gratitude of many in 
the community. The significant work which you and your wife Amanda have 
accomplished is appreciated by myself and the many others whose lives 
you have touched throughout your career.
  Ron, thank you and best wishes for many more years of success. Know 
that your efforts to better the lives of those in the region will be 
felt for years to come. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the 
United States Senate, thank you for giving so much of yourself for so 
many others in Louisville, the state of Kentucky, and the entire music 
industry.

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