[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 153 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        TRIBUTE TO RALPH HACKER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2017

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my 
long-time friend, Ralph Hacker, upon his induction into the University 
of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame--Class of 2017.
   Ralph Hacker's voice was a colorful hallmark of the UK Radio Network 
for more than three decades, including three men's basketball national 
championships, seven Final Fours and four football bowl games. Before 
we could watch our beloved UK Wildcats play basketball on television, 
we used to ``watch them on the radio,'' as some would jokingly say--and 
it was the voice of Ralph Hacker that brought the game to life, as we 
envisioned every block, every dunk and every heroic play on the court. 
Still today, the Big Blue Nation is known to turn down the audio on the 
television to instead listen to familiar commentary on the radio as the 
game plays on. It's a testament to local broadcasters, like Ralph 
Hacker, who attended practices and spent unmatched time on and off the 
court with coaches and players to learn about the passion and drive 
that breeds championship teams. Today, the University of Kentucky is 
the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I Men's 
Basketball winningest program, and it was Ralph Hacker's voice that 
helped fans rejoice with every win and find solace in every defeat.
   Before becoming a voice for the Wildcats, Ralph and I first met at 
WVLK in Lexington as young disc jockeys, where we also worked with 
fellow broadcasters Jim Host and Claude Sullivan. While I detoured to 
UK Law School and eventually, the U.S. House of Representatives, all 
three of my friends had tremendous broadcasting careers, pioneering 
advancements in communications and business. Ralph later purchased and 
built a prominent radio network as president of HMH Broadcasting, 
earning the respect of broadcasters across the country.
   Aside from his broadcasting career, Ralph and his lovely wife 
Marilyn have generously opened up their hearts and their home to help 
raise support for a number of charities. Their joint philanthropic 
drive has made a profound impact on the lives of countless Kentucky 
families. Most recently, Ralph has adamantly lent his voice to raise 
awareness for cardiac health across the state.
   Mr. Speaker, the UK Athletics Hall of Fame is filled with incredibly 
talented men and women from my alma mater. I'm incredibly proud that my 
friend, Ralph Hacker, is rightfully being added to this prestigious 
list of legends after dedicating his voice to the broadcasting industry 
in Kentucky for more than a half century. However, among all his 
accomplishments, I know Ralph and Marilyn are most proud of their 
wonderful daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Danny Reilly, and 
especially their granddaughters, Collins and Gresham Jane.

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