[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2545-S2546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING WARD CORRELL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a good friend 
and a distinguished Kentuckian who has sadly passed away after a 
resoundingly successful life and career of many decades. Ward Correll, 
a native Kentuckian renowned across the Commonwealth, died on April 21 
of this year. He was 88 years old.
  My wife, Elaine, and I are deeply saddened by Ward's death. Ward rose 
from humble beginnings to great business success, and he also 
generously and charitably shared the fruits of his success with others 
in his hometown of Somerset and throughout Kentucky. Many have 
benefitted from his philanthropy, and he will be terribly missed.
  Ward was a household name in Kentucky. A self-made man, he created a 
business empire, including an oil distributorship and many property, 
business, and financial holdings. He was a major stockholder in First 
Southern National Bank.
  Ward believed strongly in giving back to the community that he loved 
so much. He was a financial benefactor to dozens of charities, 
churches, sports teams, and other organizations, including Somerset 
Christian School--which honors his family's contribution with a 
monument on the school campus--and the University of the Cumberlands, 
where the science complex is named in his and his late wife's honor. 
The Ward Correll Sports Complex, a popular destination in Somerset, is 
thanks to his efforts.
  For all his success in life, Ward graduated high school with less 
than $3 in his pocket. He hitchhiked to Detroit, where he worked odd 
jobs. After serving his country in the U.S. Army in an intelligence 
unit during the Korean war, he returned home to Somerset and married 
his wife, Regina.
  Ward and Regina's first business was selling bananas. From that, he 
built himself into the titan of business and philanthropy whom we mourn 
today.
  Ward received the 2002 Kentuckian Award from the A.B. Chandler 
Foundation. He was named Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association 
of Fundraising Professionals Bluegrass Chapter in 2003. In that same 
year, he received the Business of the Year Award as an Entrepreneurial 
Success from the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. And he 
received the Somerset-Pulaski County Distinguished Community Service 
Award in 2014.
  The people of Pulaski County were accustomed to seeing full-page ads 
in the local paper bought by Ward Correll, each one sharing some bit of 
wisdom or personal philosophy from Ward that he wished to pass on to 
others. He ended each ad with the signature line, ``Hooray, cheers! 
Ward Correll.''
  I want to send my deepest condolences and prayers to Ward's family at 
their time of loss. Now is the time to wish one final hooray and cheers 
to the man who leaves behind a powerful legacy. Kentucky honors Ward 
Correll for his life and his lifetime of service, and we mourn his 
passing.
  The Lexington Herald-Leader published an article detailing Ward 
Correll's life and career. I ask unanimous consent that the article be 
printed in the Record.

[[Page S2546]]

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

           [From the Lexington Herald-Leader, Apr. 23, 2016]

Somerset Businessman Ward Correll, Known for Philanthropy, Dead at Age 
                                   88

                            (By Bill Estep)

       Somerset businessman Ward F. Correll, recognized for 
     millions of dollars' worth of philanthropy in support of 
     various causes, died Thursday at University of Kentucky 
     Chandler Hospital. He was 88.
       Correll had been hospitalized since suffering what police 
     said were accidental gunshot wounds at his home early March 
     9.
       Correll had business interests in a shopping center, an oil 
     and gas distributorship and a life insurance company, and he 
     was a founder of First Southern National Bank.
       Correll had given millions to causes and projects including 
     land for a water park and youth baseball field in Somerset; 
     land and financial support for Somerset Christian School; 
     money to renovate an auditorium at Somerset High School; and 
     $1 million for a classroom building at the University of the 
     Cumberlands in Williamsburg. The building was named for 
     Correll and his late wife, Regina.
       He also made smaller donations, reportedly giving away $30 
     worth of gas from his stations to active-duty military 
     personnel in 2009, for instance.
       Observers said Correll's philanthropy had touched countless 
     lives.
       ``It has built the community up from every aspect,'' said 
     Carolyn Mounce, head of the Somerset-Pulaski County 
     Convention and Visitors Bureau.
       U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, a Somerset Republican, said Correll's 
     impact will last for generations.
       ``His generosity was as vast as his business ingenuity, and 
     he routinely used both to inspire and encourage everyone 
     around him,'' Rogers said. ``Ultimately, Ward loved his God, 
     his family, his community and his country, and spent a 
     lifetime faithfully serving each one with great passion and 
     enthusiasm.''
       Correll was born in Wayne County, one of 13 children, and 
     grew up in Pulaski County in modest circumstances.
       He told the story of leaving home after high school with 
     $2.67 and hitchhiking to Detroit for work, returning home 
     several months later with a bit more money in his pocket.
       He eventually developed a shopping center in the 1960s on 
     what was then a sparsely built stretch of U.S. 27 in 
     Somerset, now crowded with hundreds of businesses.
       Correll frequently bought full-page advertisements in the 
     Commonwealth-Journal newspaper in Somerset to publish 
     inspirational quotes.
       Correll, a Korean War veteran, is survived by six children, 
     nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, according 
     to Lake Cumberland Funeral Home.

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