[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1104-E1105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF KEITH RUNYON'S ACCOMPLISHED CAREER IN KENTUCKY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of one of 
Kentucky's most distinguished and long serving journalists, Keith 
Runyon. Mr. Runyon retired from the Louisville Courier-Journal after 43 
years this last April, and it is an understatement to say that Kentucky 
will miss this giant in the journalism field.
  A lifelong resident of Louisville, Keith Runyon joined the Courier-
Journal at the age of 18 while he was a student at the University of 
Louisville. His relationship with the Bingham family left an indelible 
impression on his career, and I know Keith is proud to be the last 
serving member of the Bingham-era editorial board. From his early days 
as an obituary writer, Keith worked his way through the ranks of the 
paper before quickly joining the editorial board in 1977. Always 
seeking a greater challenge, he also started attending the University 
of Louisville Brandeis School of Law the same year and later became the 
editor of the Courier-Journal's book page in addition to his editorial 
page responsibilities.
  Whether tackling education reform or tax referendums, Keith's 
judgment and talent

[[Page E1105]]

shaped the editorial board for more than 40 years. Throughout his 
esteemed career, Keith has received many awards and accolades but 
perhaps none as impressive as his most recent. This spring, he received 
the Society of Professional Journalists' gold medal, one of the most 
prestigious honors for editorial writing in the country, for his work 
on the proposed merger of the University of Louisville hospital.
  A proud graduate of Leadership Louisville, he is a vibrant 
participant in the great issues confronting all of Kentucky. He 
constantly strives to promote equal rights for all and to advance the 
progressive principles of the New Deal, the New Frontier, and Great 
Society. Long after his retirement, the work he did both in and outside 
of the newsroom will continue to have an impact on Louisville and all 
of Kentucky. Keith Runyon leaves big shoes to fill at the Louisville 
Courier-Journal, and I wish him, his wife Meme, and his family the best 
in their future endeavors. I congratulate him on his stellar career and 
thank him for all he has done for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

                          ____________________