[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING LORI ACTON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, it is with deep regret and grief that 
I inform my fellow senators of the passing of my personal friend, Lori 
Acton. Mrs. Acton was a dynamic and dedicated woman whose absence in 
the community of Laurel County will be immediately and acutely felt.
  Lori is someone who cannot be replaced. As the executive director of 
the Laurel County Public Library, she was a passionate leader who was 
visionary without being reckless, infectiously funny without being 
frivolous, direct and driven without being rude or mean-spirited, and a 
tireless worker who fully enjoyed the life and work she participated 
in. Her work with the library spanned nearly three decades, but the 
impact of her influence and passion cannot be measured by the usual 
metrics. Indeed, as one local writer noted, ``what people like Lori 
mean to a community cannot be seen by those who do not know her.'' She 
revolutionized the library system through hiring a stellar staff, 
instituting new, creative, and interesting programs, and constantly 
improving every issue she addressed.
  Lori made an impact on people's lives. Not only did the library 
benefit from her enthusiastic approach to fostering a love of reading 
and learning, but her very presence and constant smile became 
signatures of her community. Countless testimonies from those who knew 
her speak to what an incredible impact she had as both a librarian and 
a friend.
  At this time, I ask that we join together with the community of 
Laurel County, KY, in mourning the loss of my friend Mrs. Lori Acton. I 
believe that others can aspire to emulate Lori's character, enthusiasm, 
love and involvement with the community she lived in.
  I also ask unanimous consent that an article lauding Lori from the 
Laurel County-area publication the Sentinel Echo appear in today's 
Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               [From the Sentinel Echo, January 30, 2013]

                  Laurel Library Director Dies Monday

                            (By Jeff Noble)

       Corbin.--For more than a quarter-century, Lori Acton gave 
     people of all ages a window to the world and beyond by 
     opening the doors to them at the Laurel County Public 
     Library.
       On Wednesday, her colleagues and friends remembered Acton 
     as a passionate advocate for inspiring others through the 
     library's staff, service, and outreach programs.
       Acton, the library's district director since 1985, died 
     Monday at her home in London. She was 57.
       ``The library was more than a job to Lori--it was her 
     passion, and she worked tirelessly to make the library a 
     place everyone could come and enjoy and learn. From babies to 
     seniors, she wanted this library to offer whatever it could 
     to enrich their lives and the community. We plan on working 
     our hardest to make sure that Lori's vision to the future 
     continues,'' the library's deputy director, Peggy Mershon, 
     said Wednesday.
       Another who knew Acton said she was the driving force in 
     moving the library from its 4th Street location to its 
     present home on College Park Drive in London, which opened in 
     2003.
       ``Her visionary leadership, enthusiasm, and energy have 
     been pivotal in creating a model of what a library can become 
     in the 21st century,'' said R.  W. Dyche III, president of 
     the Laurel County Public Library's Board of Trustees.
       In a phone interview Wednesday, Dyche said two traits made 
     Acton stand out above the crowd.
       ``Number one, she was full of enthusiasm. Lori pursued all 
     goals with enthusiasm. It was her determination that led 
     directly to the opening of the new library. Second, she had a 
     lot of strengths. One of them was she was not afraid to hire 
     extremely talented people to work for her. She'll be 
     remembered as a very happy person, so pleased to help people 
     in Laurel and surrounding areas with their educational 
     needs.''
       To honor her memory, the main library and their branches in 
     Corbin and North London were closed Tuesday.
       A picture of Acton, along with the dates of her birth and 
     death in white letters over a black background, was posted on 
     the home page of the library's website.
       Kathryn Hardman was one of Acton's closest friends. 
     Together the two worked on improving literacy in the county, 
     and also were active in community activities as members of 
     the London Rotary Club.
       She said in a phone interview Wednesday the news of Acton's 
     passing was still echoing over London and Laurel County.
       ``We're all pretty shocked. It's incomprehensible. She had 
     a lot of friends in the community. She's been a vital part of 
     our community for 28 years. The community mourns this loss,'' 
     noted Hardman, who is the executive director of Laurel County 
     Adult Education.
       Hardman pointed out that because of Acton's direction, the 
     library spearheaded the creation of the program in 1986 to 
     promote adult literacy. Acton was also on the board of 
     directors of the Saint Joseph London Foundation.
       There were other roles in Acton's life. Hardman added, 
     ``Her most significant role was as mother, wife, daughter, 
     sister, and friend.''
       ``We've been having lunch for 25 years. We talked about our 
     careers, our community, our nation, our families, and of 
     course, politics. We both loved to talk about politics. It 
     would be fair to say we both had strong opinions.''
       Acton's role as a Rotary member was extensive. At the time 
     of her passing, she was looking forward to working on the 
     annual Rotary International Dinner, a project Acton had 
     headed for the past five years, and is sponsored by both the 
     London and Corbin Rotary Clubs.
       That passion Acton had with the library extended to her 
     planning the dinner and to helping worthy causes, said Corbin 
     Rotary Club member the Rev. John Burkhart.
       ``Lori had a lot of energy, high spirits, and she laughed a 
     lot. She was very polite, sociable, and was an extraordinary 
     Rotarian. She was lively, she'd ask a lot of questions to the 
     speakers, and was very actively involved. Lori wasn't a 
     wallflower.''
       Just before noon Wednesday, this message was posted on the 
     library's Facebook page:
       ``Lori Acton had an unwavering passion for this library, 
     always striving to give her community what she felt was 
     needed and deserved. Her enthusiasm, leadership and 
     commitment will be missed by all of us. Please remember her 
     family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.''
       Several who knew Acton responded in kind. One person wrote, 
     ``Lori was a wonderful librarian and inspired me to become a 
     librarian. I will miss seeing her on my visits home.''
       Another said, ``I smile (through) my tears when I think of 
     Lori. She just ALWAYS had a smile and a laugh when you saw 
     her. Always making you feel real special. How I loved her 
     passion for life.''
       Lori Holzworth Acton was a native of Sterling, Colorado, 
     located northeast of Denver near the Wyoming border. She is 
     survived by her husband and four children. Her mother, two 
     sisters, and a brother also survive. Visitation is at 11 a.m. 
     Saturday at House-Rawlings Funeral Home in London, with 
     funeral services Saturday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home's 
     chapel with the Rev. Wade Arp officiating. Burial will follow 
     at A. R. Dyche Memorial Cemetery in London, with House-
     Rawlings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

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