[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 80 (Monday, June 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3493-S3494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ERNEST RAY RUDDER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
distinguished Kentuckian, a self-described ``jack of all trades'' who 
has come through for his family, friends and neighbors time and again. 
Whether it is as a teacher, a law-enforcement officer, a fireman, a 
father, a grandfather or a great-grandfather, people know they can 
always rely on Mr. Ernest Ray Rudder.
  Mr. Rudder--or, to those who know him, E.R.--has worn many hats 
throughout his life. Born in Laurel County, KY, in 1947, E.R. attended 
Bush School and Berea College, then transferred to Cumberland College 
where he earned his bachelor of science degree in biology and 
chemistry. During his college years he also married his childhood 
sweetheart Judy Hacker, and they have been married now for 44 years.
  E.R. began work as a teacher, teaching all subjects, including 
chemistry and biology, in Clay, Jackson and Laurel Counties. He also 
worked for many years as a school assistant principal and principal. In 
2000, E.R. retired from

[[Page S3494]]

teaching after more than three decades of service.
  But an easy retirement spent in a rocking chair was not for E.R. He 
was one of the charter members of the Bush Volunteer Fire Department, 
organized in 1975. While still serving as a school principal, he had 
worked occasionally as a sworn-in deputy for the Laurel County 
Sheriff's Office, transporting inmates. Now in retirement, he renewed 
his commitment to law enforcement. Recently promoted to administrative 
sergeant, he has worked for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office for the 
last 2\1/2\ years under two sheriffs.
  ``No matter how small the complaint, it is a legitimate concern for 
them,'' E.R. says of the people he works to serve and protect. And 
luckily for E.R., he has not gotten into any, as he likes to call them, 
``bugtussles'' of the dangerous variety.
  E.R. has also worked as a school bus driver, an assistant manager at 
a restaurant and as a chemist for the London Utility Commission. He is 
a member of Providence Baptist Church and a deacon there since 1985. 
When his wife Judy is asked what E.R. does in his spare time, she 
answers, ``He has no spare time.''
  Kentucky is lucky to have men like Ernest Ray Rudder, who works hard 
to protect and provide for his family and his community. I am sure his 
wife Judy, his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandson are 
very proud.
  Mr. President, the Sentinel Echo recently published an article 
illuminating Mr. Ernest Ray Rudder's life and his career. I ask 
unanimous consent that the full article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

           [From Sentinel Echo Laurel County, Feb. 21, 2011]

                Rudder Has Lived Every Lil' Boy's Dream

                            (By Sue Minton)

       Have you passed someone on the street or in the mall, 
     looked at them in church or school, or just seen them out 
     your car window and wonder where have they been or where are 
     they going, and what is their story?
       It's easy to forget that everyone has a story to tell and 
     when we take the time to ask questions and listen, we find 
     that every person has a fascinating story to tell and a 
     unique perspective from which to tell it.
       Ernest Ray Rudder's--E.R. to those who know him best--story 
     began May 14, 1947 when he was born, at home, to Birchell and 
     Maxine Rudder, the oldest of three children.
       ``I was born in a little white house on East 80, grew-up on 
     Tom Cat Trail, and moved back to East 80,'' he said.
       Rudder attended Bush School graduating in 1965 and attended 
     Berea College for 1\1/2\ years.
       He, along with his new bride transferred to Cumberland 
     College graduating in 1969 with a bachelor of science degree 
     in biology and chemistry.
       Rudder and his childhood sweetheart, Judy Hacker, will be 
     married 44 years in May.
       ``She was only girl I ever dated,'' he said. ``We met in 
     Sunday School class.''
       Judy said they met when she was in the eighth grade. E.R. 
     said they met before that.
       ``But I didn't notice you before then,'' Judy said 
     laughing.
       ``I noticed you,'' he said. ``With your pigtails and big 
     brown eyes.''
       ``Her mom, Granny Hacker, was my Sunday School teacher, and 
     Judy was in the class.''
       After receiving his degree, Rudder began his career as an 
     educator in Clay County, teaching all subjects to seventh and 
     eighth graders at Paces Creek. ``This was an experience,'' he 
     recalled. ``I had some famous people in the class, like Gary 
     Gregory, the current Clay County Commonwealth Attorney, for 
     one. And another was the late Cecil Darrell Hooker.''
       Rudder remembers there being seven seventh graders and 17 
     eighth graders in the class. ``I was 21-years-old and one of 
     the eighth-grade students was 18.''
       Rudder taught at Paces Creek for half-a-year and the 
     following two years were spent teaching in Jackson County. 
     After which he returned to Laurel County, teaching chemistry 
     and biology for 13 years at Laurel County High School.
       ``I absolutely loved teaching. I loved the part where you 
     could teach and actually see the students experience the 
     learning part,'' he said. ``And when you could really have 
     fun teaching.''
       ``When you saw them light-up, you knew they `got-it','' he 
     added. ``And the students learned because they wanted to, not 
     because they had to know it on some test.''
       Rudder said some of his former students are now doctors, 
     attorneys, teachers and Pentagon officers, and unfortunately 
     some who wear orange jumpsuits.
       After 15\1/2\ years, Rudder left the classroom for a 
     principal's position at the former Felts Elementary. For 16 
     years he held principalships at Felts Elementary (four 
     years), assistant principal at Laurel County High School 
     (three years), and Sublimity Elementary (nine years).
       Rudder retired in 2000 after 31\1/2\ years of teaching and 
     caring for the students of Laurel County.
       Rudder recalls the ``editorial'' he included in the last 
     newsletter he prepared for his staff and students at 
     Sublimity Elementary. ``I told them `Every little boy wants 
     to be a policemen, fireman or teacher and I have been all 
     three. I have been a volunteer fireman for over 30 years and 
     a part-time policeman. So I have succeeded at what all little 
     boys dream of a I threw 30 some years of teaching in there 
     for fun.''
       Rudder was one of the charter members of Bush Volunteer 
     Fire Department that was organized in 1975. Except for a 
     couple of years he has been secretary/treasurer.
       And during his principalship at Sublimity Elementary he 
     worked occasionally with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office 
     transporting inmates.
       ``I was sworn-in as a deputy in 1994,'' he said.
       ``And, I once ran for sheriff,'' he added.
       Retirement for Rudder was short lived, lasting less then 
     two weeks.
       ``I knew when I retired from the school system that I 
     wanted to work with the sheriff's department,'' he said. 
     ``But, I planned on taking some time off. I left school on 
     June 21 and started at the S.O. July 5.''
       Ruder has worked for the past two sheriffs and the last 
     2\1/2\ years he has worked the roads. He was recently 
     promoted to administrative sergeant, and some of his duties 
     include walk-in reports, accident reports, sending reports to 
     Frankfort and logging, cataloging and transporting evidence.
       ``I enjoy answering calls, reacting with and helping the 
     people when you can,'' he said. ``I try to help the S.O. have 
     a good image and know that it is serving the people.''
       When Rudder was asked about taking the administrative 
     position he said he was not dumb enough to think that a 63-
     year-old man should be out there chasing young punks. ``You 
     are inviting trouble,'' he added. ``And I have been lucky, I 
     have not got into any bugtussles, but I have talked several 
     down.''
       Rudder said there is something new everyday. ``A lot of 
     times you will hear the same story but from different people. 
     You never know what or who is going to walk in. No matter how 
     small the complaint, it is a legitimate concern for them.''
       ``People think that everything they see on NCIS or CSI we 
     can do,'' he added. ``I tell them `if Gil Grissom was here, 
     it is untelling what we could do, but in the real world, 
     we're not able to do all that'.''
       ``Like teaching, I absolutely love working for the S.O.,'' 
     he added.
       Educating and protecting the citizens of Laurel County was 
     only two of Rudder's jobs.
       During his teaching career he also drove a school bus, was 
     assistant manager at Burger Queen and was a chemist for the 
     London Utility Commission.
       Rudder drove a school for 13 years, mostly the Marydell 
     route.
       ``But, my first route was in the Sinking Creek area,'' he 
     added. ``Judy took over my route when I quit and drove for 
     seven years and today Kay Bowling (Rudder's sister) drives 
     the route.''
       Rudder remembers his Uncle George driving basically the 
     same bus route 50 years ago.
       With the jobs Rudder has had and his work schedule today 
     when asked what he does in his spare time, Judy was quick to 
     answer, he has no more spare time.''
       But Rudder said he doesn't feel like he is pushed. ``I 
     would go crazy if I didn't have something to do.''
       ``I like to read history and historical books,'' he said. 
     ``Over Christmas I read George W. Bush's new book ``Decision 
     Points.'' Loved it. I'm now reading ``15 Stars.'' I watch the 
     History Channel and classic westerns, ``Pawn Stars'' and 
     ``The Pickers'' with a cop show or two thrown in.''
       ``He is also clerk, treasurer and Sunday school director at 
     church,'' Judy added.
       Rudder has been a member of Providence Baptist Church since 
     1964 and a deacon since 1985.
       When asked how he keeps finances from the church, fire 
     department and home straight, he replied laughing ``Judy 
     takes care of all personal finances, and I take care of the 
     rest.''
       Rudder said his biggest regret was not being around much 
     when his daughter, Dawn, was growing up. And his biggest 
     rewards are his grandchildren and Easton, his great-grandson.
       ``Dawn and Marc have grown up so fast,'' he said. ``And 
     what can you say about your grandchildren and great-
     grandchild. And the hardest thing I've ever faced was when we 
     lost Susan, our 18-year-old granddaughter.''
       Rudder describes himself as a ``Jack of all trades and a 
     master of none.''

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