[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. DAVID HAWPE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. CHANDLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of one of 
Kentucky's premier journalists, a man who has shaped countless events 
and policies in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for decades, Mr. David 
Hawpe. After 40 years of public service journalism, tough reporting, 
and insightful analysis as editorial director, he will retire on August 
14, 2009. I cannot begin to adequately describe the immeasurable 
contributions Mr. Hawpe has made to better the lives of all 
Kentuckians.
  After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1965 with a focus 
in journalism, Mr. Hawpe began his career as a reporter for the 
Associated Press and then moved to the The St. Petersburg Times in 
Florida, where he was an editorial writer.
  In 1969, he came back to his home state and took charge of the Hazard 
bureau of The Courier-Journal in Eastern Kentucky, and in 1972, he 
moved to the Louisville home office. Mr. Hawpe held many positions, 
including editorial writer, assistant regional editor, managing editor 
and editor of The Courier-Journal and also served as city editor of the 
former afternoon newspaper, The Louisville Times.
  Through his decades of reporting, Mr. Hawpe's influence can be seen 
in nearly every corner of the state.
  He covered the Hyden mine disaster in 1970, bringing to light the 
many hazards and realities of coal mining. In later years, he played a 
significant role in strengthening laws and regulations governing the 
mining industry, and attacked abuses related to the broad form deed and 
strip mining.
  Through his reporting and advocacy, he helped bring about new 
regulations of toxic chemicals, improved school bus safety, better 
enforcement of drunk driving laws, and reform in the medical license 
system.
  Through his and his colleagues' legislative coverage, Mr. Hawpe and 
his coworkers literally helped reshape the Kentucky General Assembly--
my home state's legislative body--into a more influential, co-equal 
branch of state government. In conjunction with formidable 
investigative reporting, Mr. Hawpe also played a critical role in the 
momentum to rewrite Kentucky's campaign finance laws.
  And also, very notably, Mr. Hawpe has been instrumental in the reform 
of Kentucky's public education system. Through his direction of 
relentless and informed reporting, he helped convince the public that 
Kentucky was in need of meaningful, extensive higher education reform, 
which paved the way for the 1997 Kentucky Higher Education Reform Act. 
He has been credited by many, including a former governor and key 
policy makers, with being the main force behind this historic 
legislation.
  In light of these achievements, it should be no surprise the 
newspaper won four Pulitzer prizes under his direction.
  Mr. Hawpe is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and has 
long been a strong advocate for ethics and diversity initiatives. A 
Nieman Fellow at Harvard, he was also prominent in national news 
organizations, having served as president of the Associated Press 
Managing Editors Association.
  Through Mr. Hawpe's editorials and columns, he has been called ``the 
voice and conscience of The Courier-Journal'' and, in my opinion, in 
many ways, he has been the voice and conscience of reform and good 
policy in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
  Over the years, he has held individuals and institutions accountable 
for their actions, reined in unfair practices, and been an unwavering 
advocate for the underprivileged. Mr. Hawpe will be sorely missed, but 
the impact of his work will be felt in my state, and, indeed the 
nation, for many years to come.
  Madam Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that he has made our 
great state even better.

                          ____________________