[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7773-S7774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING MASON RUDD

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today with sadness to honor the 
life of Mr. Mason Rudd, a good friend who died on July 5, 2009, at the 
age of 90. He was loved by many in my hometown of Louisville, KY, and 
he will be missed.
  Mason will be remembered as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and 
family man who did so much to make his adopted hometown a better place.
  His American dream began at the University of Minnesota, where he 
funded his college education with help from a tennis scholarship, 
participation in ROTC, and by selling doughnuts. In 1939, he graduated 
with a degree in geology and petroleum engineering. After college, his 
service in World War II led him to believe that he survived the war for 
one reason--to

[[Page S7774]]

help others achieve and live better lives. And this he did.
  Mr. Rudd spent a few years working as an engineer for Shell Oil and 
then selling fire engines in Iowa until 1952 when he moved to 
Louisville. There he established Rudd Equipment Company, which 
distributed heavy construction equipment. The company he built brought 
him a large fortune which would serve him well when he undertook his 
many altruistic pursuits.
  Mason grew to love the city and especially the local university--the 
University of Louisville. He contributed $1.4 million to the creation 
of a neurology professorship at the University of Louisville after his 
first wife Mary suffered a fatal stroke. His help facilitated the $3.6 
million Bass-Rudd Tennis Center at the University of Louisville as well 
as the endowment for the Rudd Program for Young Artists at the Kentucky 
Opera to train young singers.
  However, more important than the money, Mr. Rudd contributed 
invaluable time and effort to the causes of health care and education.
  Thirty years ago, this passion was clear to me when I served as 
Jefferson County's judge-executive and it was my responsibility to 
appoint someone to the county's board of health. I reappointed him to 
the board, just as those serving before me had and those after me did.
  While serving on this board as well as in leadership positions at 
Louisville General Hospitals and Louisville's Jewish Hospital, his 
efforts provided everyone in the city with a healthier, safer life. His 
fellow members credit him with creating lead poisoning education 
programs, a hazardous-materials task force in the health department, a 
mandate on sewage treatment, and primary care clinics for the 
uninsured.
  His efforts also extended to helping the Louisville Free Library 
Foundation during his 16 years on the board there. Because of him the 
library's book endowment is stronger and the children's reading program 
continues to grow. Most notably, in the year 2000 library fundraising 
efforts under his leadership made it possible to purchase computers for 
the library.
  Mr. Rudd leaves behind his wife Peggy: his daughter Betsy; and his 
son Michael. The life he led in his 90 years stands out as an example 
of service to his community and country which all Americans should 
honor and strive to achieve. He will be missed.

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