[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 162 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8708-S8709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING CHARLES WHEELER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today in solemn remembrance of a 
dear friend of mine from Ashland, KY, who passed away peacefully at his 
home this Veterans Day. Mr. Charles Wheeler was a consummate small 
businessman, local official, and advocate for higher education. I knew 
Charles for over 30 years, and I can tell you that the love he felt for 
his community in the Commonwealth was surpassed only by his affection 
for his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary Kathryn Wheeler.
  Born in Paintsville, KY, Charles owned and operated a local hardware 
store in Boyd County for nearly 40 years--helping to build his 
community and assist all who met him, literally and figuratively. It is 
no wonder then, that Charles's friendly manner and smart tact got him 
elected as an Ashland city commissioner by the age of 28. Before long, 
his friends and neighbors elected him to represent them in the Kentucky 
General Assembly, where he served for 8 years.
  My friend continued to serve his community by serving on the Morehead 
State University Board of Regents for a decade during a period when 
that institution saw great growth. His pursuit of excellence in higher 
education undoubtedly changed the lives of countless students.
  I could surely continue to draw to mind the instances when Charles 
helped meet the need of his community, and this Senator, but I would 
simply ask that my colleagues join me in remembering the life of a 
humble man who showed incredible character throughout his entire life. 
And I would further ask that they join me in expressing my sincerest 
condolences to Charles's beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, siblings and other family members.
  The Ashland Daily Independent recently published an editorial that 
highlights some of Charles Wheeler's accomplishments, and I ask 
unanimous consent that it be printed in the Record following my 
remarks.

[[Page S8709]]

  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

          [From the Ashland Daily Independent, Nov. 17, 2010]

Charles Wheeler: He Was a Leader in Business, Politics and Education in 
                                  Area

       Ashland.--Charles Dona Wheeler spent most of his adult life 
     as a business, political and education leader in this region. 
     He died quietly at his residence on Veterans Day. He was 81.
       As a business leader, he owned and operated Wheeler-
     Williams Hardware in Boyd County from 1962 until he closed 
     the business in 2000. He also was a developer of Southern 
     Hills Estates, a beautiful, upscale subdivision off Boy Scout 
     Road.
       Wheeler's political career began early in life when he was 
     elected to the Ashland Board of City Commissioners at the age 
     of 28. He went on to serve for eight years--or four terms--as 
     the representative from the 100th District in Kentucky. After 
     leaving office, he remained a leader of the Republican Party 
     in Boyd County and in Kentucky for many years.
       Although he never earned a college degree, Wheeler helped 
     open the doors to a college education for thousands of young 
     people in this region by serving on the Morehead State 
     University Board of Regents. His decade of service on the MSU 
     governing body during a time of great growth for the 
     university continues to benefit this region by the many 
     students the university has helped train who continue to play 
     important roles in this area's business, educational, 
     cultural and social life.
       To his wife of 60 years, Mary Kathryn Wheeler, and his 
     large extended family, Charles Wheeler was a loving husband, 
     father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. To 
     others in this community, Charles Wheeler was a leader who 
     made a difference through his many years of quietly working 
     for the betterment of this community and this region.

                          ____________________