[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9320-S9321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING JIM WILLIAMS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to Jim 
Williams, the director of communications of one of Kentucky's most 
storied racetracks, Keeneland in Lexington. After 38 years at the 
forefront of Kentucky's racing community, Mr. Williams has left a 
legacy worthy of the champion thoroughbred horses who have won there, 
and the entire State wishes him well as he retires from the job he 
loves.
  Keeneland racetrack is located in the beautiful Bluegrass region of 
Kentucky. Since 1936 Keeneland has operated two meets per year, every 
April and October. For nearly 40 of those years, Mr. Williams has 
helped transform what was once a small racetrack

[[Page S9321]]

that began on a local farm into a premier equestrian facility.
  Mr. Williams's passion and dedication for Keeneland and horse racing 
began when he was just a boy, when he moved to Lexington and attended 
his first race at Keeneland. Since that first race, Mr. Williams has 
been in attendance at a majority of Keeneland's races.
  Mr. Williams has had the opportunity to serve under three Keeneland 
presidents: Mr. Ted Bassett, Mr. Bill Greely and the current CEO, Mr. 
Nick Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson spoke dearly of Jim when asked to reflect 
on his service. In a recent article in the Lexington Herald-Leader, he 
said:

       To put Jim's tenure in perspective, when he joined 
     Keeneland in 1971, Richard Nixon was president, ``All in the 
     Family'' premiered on television, and gas was 30 cents a 
     gallon. Since that time, Jim has been the public face of 
     Keeneland, and he has conducted himself in a manner that has 
     enhanced Keeneland's stature in the eyes of everyone who has 
     had the pleasure of meeting him. Jim is a man of character, 
     integrity and humility. We at Keeneland thank him for his 
     many years of service and wish him the best in his 
     retirement.

  Jim Williams is a legend in Kentucky horse racing and his 
contributions to the Commonwealth's most hallowed sport are 
immeasurable. His retirement is going to leave a large hole that will 
be very hard to fill. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Jim Williams for his 38 years of service to Keeneland and 
to Kentucky horse racing.

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