[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6666-S6667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JAY HILDEBRANDT

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I congratulate Jay Hildebrandt, 
who is retiring after more than four decades in news reporting.
  Jay has worked for KIFI's Local News 8 in Idaho Falls for the past 35 
years. As an anchor for the weeknight news, Jay is known for his calm, 
gentle demeanor and steady role delivering the news. Originally, from 
Milwaukee, WI, Jay earned a degree in communications from Brigham Young 
University. Before anchoring for our local news, he anchored in Twin 
Falls and Fort Wayne, IN. Thankfully, he then returned to Idaho, where 
we have been blessed with Jay's reliable, professional and 
compassionate reporting all these years.
  His positive influence can be felt throughout our community. Jay has 
made a difference in many lives through his involvement in impactful 
projects and community and statewide efforts. In addition to anchoring 
the weeknight news, Jay produced the weekly ``Wednesday's Child'' 
reports for 28 years. Through this project, he has helped elevate the 
stories of area children in need of adoptive homes. He also highlighted 
the hard work of remarkable high school seniors in his ``Distinguished 
Student'' series. Additionally, Jay has served as an adjunct instructor 
at Brigham Young University Idaho and helped lead important efforts, 
including his service on the Governor's Children's Trust Fund Board, 
the Region VII Health and Welfare Advisory Board, and the Safe Place 
Advisory Board.
  While most of us enjoyed Jay over the years on the television, there 
are those who have been able to work with him personally. And without 
exception, he is admired, emulated and respected by his coworkers. One 
of those fortunate individuals is my current chief of staff in DC, 
Susan Hawkes Wheeler. She got her start just out of college

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working for Jay at KIFI in the mid-1980s, when Jay was already becoming 
the institution that he remains in Idaho broadcasting. His gentle 
leadership and kind demeanor did much to stabilize a work place that 
can be very chaotic as news develops, even in small town news stations. 
He was a patient teacher, an insightful editor, and a delightful 
storyteller, clearly evidenced by his enjoyment of some of the special 
projects he undertook like the aforementioned ``Wednesday's Child.'' My 
office benefits every day from lessons Susan learned through Jay's 
leadership, and I am grateful for those.
  In an article about his retirement, his co-anchor of 30 years, Karole 
Honas, used the words ``solid,'' ``steady,'' ``kind,'' and ``positive'' 
to describe Jay. Professionalism, hard work, compassion, and optimism 
are his hallmarks. Thank you, Jay, for your outstanding reporting all 
these years and for working to highlight the needs and the great 
achievements in our community. While your reassuring and thoughtful 
presence on our local news will no doubt be deeply missed, the caring 
standard you have set will be ever-present. Congratulations on your 
exemplary career. I wish you well on your well-earned retirement. May 
it be filled with many happy times with Sally, your children, 
grandchildren, and friends.

                          ____________________