[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING THE RETIREMENT OF RON BEATON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ron Beaton of 
Paducah, Kentucky on the occasion of his retirement from WPSD-TV after 
29 years of distinguished work and community leadership.
  Ron has been a public face and trusted figure in Paducah and the 
surrounding area since he began working at the television station in 
1975. He started out as an intern with WPSD immediately after 
graduating from Lone Oak High School and has been an on-air fixture 
ever since. After working on weekends and during the summers while 
attending Murray State University, Ron has served as a reporter, 
producer, anchorman, and managing editor.
  As his colleagues and viewers readily attest, Ron has handled all 
types of news stories with professionalism and sensitivity. His 
coverage of political events, including ten Presidential and Vice-
Presidential visits to the region, has garnered well-deserved 
accolades. In addition, Ron's dignified and caring manner has served 
the community well during trying times, such as the tragic shootings at 
Heath High School in 1999 and the deadly tornadoes that ravaged 
Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri last spring.
  Spending one's entire career at a single station, as Ron has done, is 
increasingly rare in the competitive television news business. Despite 
opportunities to move to larger and more lucrative markets, Ron decided 
to keep his career and family in the town he knows and loves. WPSD's 
viewers in western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, 
and northwest Tennessee have been fortunate to have welcomed Ron into 
their living rooms for so long.
  My constituents have further benefitted from Beaton's service in ways 
that reach well beyond the television studio. Ron and his colleagues at 
WPSD have worked with the Lion's Club Telethon of Stars and the Easter 
Seals for decades to raise millions of dollars for children with 
disabilities. His work with the popular ``Fugitive Files'' news segment 
has led to over 200 suspects apprehended and at least as many 
communities made safer. Ron has been an active spiritual leader and 
teacher in his home church of Trinity United Methodist in Paducah and 
many other congregations. The financial counseling he has provided, 
both on the air and through the Money Matters financial planning 
business he will now attend to full-time, has helped many families 
reach goals they never thought attainable.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Ron for the positive 
example he has been for us as an anchorman, businessman, community 
leader, husband, and father. Tonight, when he signs off with his 
trademark ``Tomorrow's Friday!'' for the second-to-last time, he will 
remind us all that despite the dour outlook that prevails in much of 
the news media today, there is still much to be happy about in Paducah 
and places like it all across America. It is with great pride that I 
represent Ron in Congress and enjoy having his son, Benjamin, on my 
staff here in Washington. I am honored to bring his accomplishments to 
the attention of this House.

                          ____________________