[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6430-S6431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. BOBBY R. HIMES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to note with sadness the passing 
of Dr. Bobby R. Himes, a retired Campbellsville University professor 
and star Kentuckian who will be greatly missed. After over four decades 
of service to his students, his community and the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky, he leaves behind many loved ones and a great legacy of 
accomplishment. He was 76 years old.
  Known to students and colleagues as ``Mr. Campbellsville 
University,'' Dr. Himes taught 7,940 students over his long career, 
according to grade books he kept in his possession. He first came to 
Campbellsville University in 1961 at the age of 29 and retired in 2001 
as a history and political science professor. More than 4,000 
Campbellsville students took his popular class ``United States History 
Since 1877,'' which began in 1961.
  Dr. Himes grew up in Hartford, KY, and always remained proud of his 
hometown. In his recent book ``Life in the Shadows of Hartford College 
and Campbellsville University,'' he wrote, ``I could not have grown up 
in a better place or time. Nowhere could there have been better people 
to nurture a young boy, a young man and now an old man.''
  Dr. Himes graduated from Hartford High School in 1950 and earned his 
bachelor's degree in history and political science from Kentucky 
Wesleyan College in 1959. He earned a master's degree in social science 
from Appalachian State University in 1961, did other graduate work at 
Western Kentucky University, and did his doctoral studies at Vanderbilt 
University. He also wore our country's uniform for 4 years in the U.S. 
Air Force, serving in the Korean War.
  Dr. Himes's renown as a teacher was legendary. Several years ago I 
was on a plane from Kentucky to Washington, DC, when a young woman 
introduced herself to me as one of his former students. She had only 
the highest praise for him. I made sure to tell Dr. Himes about that 
afterwards. The impact he had on this young woman's life, and thousands 
of young people's lives, cannot be understated.
  Let me point out that my wife, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, was a 
big fan of Dr. Himes as well. When she first met him she was new to 
Kentucky and just getting to know people. Dr. Himes was so friendly and 
helpful, they soon became fast friends. He was a great guide to the 
people and places in Kentucky.
  Dr. Himes was always actively engaged with the world around him, and 
so it is no surprise he was involved in political campaigning and 
public service as well. His first campaign experience came when he was 
in the third grade at Wayland Alexander Elementary School he supported 
Wendell L. Willkie in the 1940 Presidential election.
  Luckily, that first loss did not deter him from politics completely. 
Moving to Taylor County, KY, in 1961, Dr. Himes went on to serve in 
leadership posts for local campaigns. He then became chairman of the 
Taylor County Republican Party in 1982, a position he held for 10 
years.
  Dr. Himes was twice named the Campbellsville/Taylor County Chamber of 
Commerce Educator of the Year. He was also named the 2001 Business and 
Professional Women's Club Man of the Year and the 2004 Central Kentucky 
News-Journal Man of the Year. He received the Outstanding Social 
Studies Teacher Award from the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies 
in 1982.
  Dr. Himes was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church, and he 
belonged to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was perhaps 
the biggest fan of Lady Tiger Basketball at Campbellsville University, 
and the team recognized his support by creating the Bobby Himes Award, 
which honors dedication, determination and loyalty.

[[Page S6431]]

  Dr. Himes served under five Presidents during his tenure at 
Campbellsville University. Dr. Michael V. Carter, the current 
president, said upon hearing the news, ``We thank God for the life and 
career of Dr. Bobby Himes and his service to Campbellsville University 
and humanity.''
  My prayers and those of the people of Kentucky are with his wife 
Erlene and the Himes family after this sad loss. I hope the wonderful 
memories of Dr. Himes's long and fruitful life can give them some 
strength during this difficult time.
  In his book, Dr. Himes looked back at his own success and wrote, 
``What a career, what a life for a rural Kentucky boy! My granddad 
Himes would be pleased.''
  What a life, indeed. Kentucky and our Nation have lost a great 
American with the passing of Dr. Bobby R. Himes. And I have lost a dear 
beloved friend.

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