[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S785-S786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR LOUIE B. NUNN

  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today to 
remember Gov. Louie B. Nunn of Versailles, KY, who passed away 
Thursday, February 5, 2004. Louie was elected Governor of Kentucky in 
1967 and was a pillar of strength in the Republican Party for half a 
century.
  Looking back through the history of the Commonwealth, I can say that 
he was truly the education Governor. Louie was a champion of the 
education system in Kentucky. He raised the standards of education for 
all, but focused his efforts on those people who too often fell through 
the cracks in the system.
  He also was an advocate for mental health issues. People used to put 
anyone with a mental health problem in a shoebox and write them off, 
but Louie

[[Page S786]]

saw that was wrong and got in there to fix the problem. He made it a 
priority and he cleaned it up.
  He earned the title of Governor with a quick wit, a sharp political 
eye, and a gift for speaking. Louie could tell these fantastic stories 
and everyone would love them, captured by his words.
  I have always admired his love of politics and that he always stayed 
committed to the Republican Party. I know he was proud to see the 
Republican Party win back the governorship, ending the 32-year drought 
since he held office in 1971. But I remember Louie for supporting his 
party in Kentucky through its successes and through its failures. Even 
when there was no one around to join him, he carried the Republican 
banner proudly.
  And through his perseverance, he left a lasting legacy in Kentucky 
politics. More than any other person, he taught the people in Kentucky 
how to win elections and with that, he taught Republicans how to win 
statewide. He used to tell the story about his father, who was a 
precinct captain in Kentucky. Every election, his father would work as 
hard as he could and talk with voters one by one. And every election, 
they would win his precinct. Louie taught us that is how you won an 
election, one precinct at a time.
  Gov. Louie Nunn was respected by his friends and colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle. All in the Commonwealth of Kentucky will miss him.

                          ____________________