[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6710-S6711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       TRIBUTE TO JAY HILDEBRANDT

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 40-
year career of a great Idahoan, Jay Hildebrandt, co-anchor of KIFI 
Local News 8 in Idaho Falls, ID. Jay has covered the news from KIFI 
since 1984 and has become a trusted, familiar face to east Idaho 
residents. Viewers have come to know him as a dedicated professional 
who gets to the bottom of important stories, while treating all people 
with dignity and respect.
  Motivated by his conviction to share positive stories, Jay leaves 
behind an inspiring legacy through the uplifting segments he produced 
over the past four decades. In one such weekly segment titled 
``Wednesday's Child,'' Jay introduced children in need of a big brother 
or sister figure, a foster home or an adoptive family. Jay produced 
this segment for 28 years, and many children found permanent homes as a 
result. In recognition of his advocacy, the Congressional Coalition on 
Adoption Institute honored him and his wife Sally as ``Angels in 
Adoption.'' In addition to this heartwarming segment, Jay also 
highlighted hundreds of high-achieving local high school seniors 
through his ``Distinguished Student'' weekly report. In 1990, Karole 
Honas

[[Page S6711]]

joined Jay at the anchor desk. Their contrasting perspectives and 
reporting styles created a compelling synergy that kept viewers 
watching for over 29 years.
  When he isn't reporting the news, Jay is an active volunteer in his 
community. His service includes participation on the Governor's 
Children's Trust Fund Board, Region VII Health and Welfare Advisory 
Board, and the Safe Place Advisory Board. He also serves his community 
as an adjunct professor in the communications department at Brigham 
Young University-Idaho, where he passes along his expertise, reporting 
philosophies and lessons that can only be learned through experience to 
the next generation of journalists.
  I would like to commend Jay for over 40 years of bringing the news to 
Idahoans and congratulate him on his retirement. He will surely stay 
busy with his wife Sally, their five grown children, and 15 
grandchildren. His many dedicated years on the air have left a record 
of a kind and gentle individual, demonstrating positivity in words and 
actions.

                          ____________________