[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BEN KININGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a reporter in my 
home State of Illinois. While it may be unusual for a Member of 
Congress to praise a member of the media, I do so with pride and 
respect.
  Ben Kiningham has covered politics and government longer than I have 
been involved. He is one of the few reporters who have indeed covered 
my entire career, covering my first unsuccessful race for Congress and 
subsequent successful ones.
  Mr. Kiningham retired January 31, 2006, from the Illinois Radio 
Network after a 40 year radio news career. His first radio job was with 
WTAX in Springfield, Ill, in 1966. That station purchased what later 
became the Illinois Radio Network in 1974, and he became its State 
House bureau chief.
  Mr. Kiningham has covered Illinois governors from Otto Kerner to Rod 
Blagojevich. He has reported on the good side of Illinois politics and 
the bad side.
  Mr. Kiningham has been recognized with the lifetime achievement award 
from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, as well as numerous 
other awards for his work.
  Mr. Kiningham is respected by coworkers, former colleagues, and even 
those of us he has covered over the years. He may have tried to get a 
scoop or catch us in our own words, but he was always respectful and 
fair. What more can you say about a reporter?
  Thank you, Ben, for your hard work in gathering the news for us 
Illinoisans.

                          ____________________