[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BILL BARTLEMAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a legendary 
Kentucky newspaperman who, after 39 years, is retiring, and the 
Commonwealth will certainly be the poorer for it. I am going to miss my 
old friend, Bill Bartleman of the Paducah Sun, as his service in the 
fourth estate ends this month.
  Bill's first day at the Paducah Sun was January 7, 1972, when the 
Murray State University graduate was hired as both a reporter and a 
photographer. In the four decades since, he has covered Senators and 
Governors, local lawmakers and the Kentuckians whose names you may not 
know but who, in his words, ``make life happen.''
  He has interviewed a President of the United States, and he has 
ridden a hot air balloon over the Ohio River. He has become Kentucky's 
longest running legislative reporter. He has led quite a life of 
accomplishment, and I wish him well in the next stage of his career.
  I first met Bill when he covered my initial race for the Senate in 
1984, and he has covered every one of my races since that time. For my 
last election campaign in 2008, Bill moderated a debate between me and 
my opponent that was broadcast on C-SPAN. So the whole Nation had a 
chance to see Bill hard at work. He was fair, honest, and professional, 
as always.
  After 39 years, it would be easy for some reporters to make the 
mistake of thinking they are the story--but not Bill. This veteran 
journalist has words of wisdom for young reporters. This is what Bill 
had to say:

       Remember the responsibility of what you do.

  He went on to say:

       Bill Bartleman isn't important, but what he covers is 
     important. You need to represent the public and report what 
     happens fairly. You can't send people tainted water, and you 
     can't send tainted news.

  Those words are well said. Those of us in public life will always 
have a close relationship with members of the press. Sometimes it is a 
bit challenging and sometimes it is frustrating. Sometimes the 
politician and the reporter do not always see eye to eye. I cannot say 
Bill Bartleman and I agree on everything. But I can say that Bill 
Bartleman will always have my respect.
  For 39 years, Kentuckians have benefited from his incisive political 
coverage. As he moves on to a position with Mid-Continent University in 
Mayfield, KY, I know I speak for many Kentuckians when I say: Thank 
you, Bill. Thank you, Bill, for your dedicated service. You certainly 
will be missed.
  Bill's own newspaper, the Paducah Sun, recently published an 
excellent article about his life and career, and I ask unanimous 
consent that the full article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [From the Paducah Sun, Oct. 24, 2010]

              After 39 Years, Bartleman To Retire From Sun

       Kentucky's longest-running legislative reporter plans to 
     retire from The Paducah Sun in November.
       Bill Bartleman, 61, will retire from the Sun after 35 years 
     of covering government and politics, and nearly 39 years 
     total working for the newspaper.
       ``I have thoroughly enjoyed my career as a reporter for The 
     Paducah Sun and have mixed emotions about retiring,'' 
     Bartleman said.
       ``The profession has provided me with opportunities to 
     experience things and see things that others don't get to see 
     and feel. Most gratifying are the memories of the people I've 
     met and having the opportunity to work for people who care.''
       The Pennsylvania native graduated from Murray State 
     University in December 1971. Bartleman served his first day 
     at the Sun on Jan. 7, 1972, after being hired as a dual 
     reporter and photographer with the majority of his duties in 
     photography.
       He took over the paper's government and politics beat in 
     1975 and covered, in person, every session of legislature in 
     Frankfort from 1976-2007 while using the Web, phone 
     interviews and less frequent Frankfort visits for coverage in 
     the past three years.
       A frequent commentator for more than 30 years on Kentucky 
     Educational Television's ``Comment on Kentucky,'' Bartleman 
     also served as a panelist for KET political debates for 
     governor, U.S. senator and other offices.
       In 2008, he moderated a U.S. Senate candidate debate 
     between Sen. Mitch McConnell and Bruce Lunsford, which was 
     broadcast on C-SPAN, the national cable affairs network.
       Bartleman said he will become an administrator at Mid-
     Continent University in Mayfield on Dec. 1.
       ``I learned early in my career that The Paducah Sun has had 
     a rich tradition and responsibility of reporting news 
     thoroughly, fairly and accurately,'' Bartleman said. ``It is 
     a tradition handed down by Ed Paxton, Sr. I've always viewed 
     myself as one of his caretakers to help carry on that 
     tradition and responsibility. It is time for me to pass on my 
     caretaker role to someone else and meet a new and exciting 
     challenge.''

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