[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E170-E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF JUSTICE BILL CUNNINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2019

  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a special man, Justice 
Bill Cunningham. Cunningham retired on February 1 from the Kentucky 
Supreme Court. He is among the two longest serving justices in Kentucky 
history.
  Justice Cunningham is from Lyon County, Kentucky. He is a graduate of 
Murray State University and the University Of Kentucky College Of Law. 
Cunningham began his career in public service in 1974 as the city 
attorney for Eddyville, KY, where he served until 1991. He also served 
as the Public Defender for the Kentucky State Penitentiary from 1974 to 
1976. He went on to serve as the Commonwealth's Attorney for the 56th 
Judicial District from 1976 to 1988, where his peers voted him as 
Outstanding Commonwealth Attorney of Kentucky. In 1991, he was elected 
to the Circuit Court. While he was Circuit Judge, he requested and set 
up a makeshift courtroom in the Eddyville Penitentiary, avoiding the 
risk of escape when transporting prisoners and saving money for the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky. On one occasion while doing his courtroom 
duties, an inmate charged him and physically assaulted him. In 2006, 
Cunningham was elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court.
  In addition to being a lawyer, judge, and justice, Cunningham was a 
prolific author and published several books, mostly on Kentucky 
history. One of his books details the history of the state penitentiary 
at Eddyville, including the major prison riot at Eddyville in the 
1920's in which several people were kilIed, including one of 
Cunningham's ancestors. He also wrote a book on the tobacco wars of 
West Kentucky in the 1920's.
  Justice Cunningham is married to Paula and they have five sons. 
Cunningham is a veteran of the United States Army, serving on 
deployments to Germany, Vietnam, and Korea. I thank him for his service 
in uniform. I also thank him for his long career in the courtroom, 
fighting for justice and serving with integrity. After years of 
service, Justice Cunningham has earned a well-deserved retirement I 
join other Kentuckians in wishing him all the best.

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