[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN MEMORY OF AL YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2020

  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Mr. Al Young 
of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Young passed away on December 25, 2019 at 
the age of 77. Mr. Young was an icon in the bourbon business, one of 
the Commonwealth of Kentucky's signature industries.
  Mr. Young was born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 20, 1942. 
Following his graduation from Western Kentucky University and later 
Southern Illinois University, he began his career in the distilling 
industry in 1967. He served in a variety of roles and became Distillery 
Manager of Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky in 1990. He 
was named Brand Ambassador for Four Roses in 2007, where he served 
until his passing. Mr. Young was a part of the Four Roses family for 
over fifty years.
  Mr. Young was inducted into the Kentucky Distillers' Association 
Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2011. He was one of the KDA's official 
historians due to his extensive knowledge of the industry. He was also 
inducted into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2015. He authored the 
book Four Roses: The Return of a Whiskey Legend. Mr. Young was 
passionate for the industry and was well known by bourbon fans around 
the world.
  Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers' Association, said 
``Al was an ambassador for Kentucky bourbon long before the job was 
even invented. The thing I'll remember most is that Al was always 
smiling. Always. You just knew he loved his job, his family, and his 
life. We were lucky to share in his spirit.''
  Mr. Gregory is survived by Gretchen, his wife of 52 years, their 
three children Marc, Heather, and Christine, and four grandchildren.
  It is my honor to acknowledge the life of this accomplished man, Mr. 
Al Young, before the United States Congress.

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