[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S3201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN ROUSH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, over the school's two centuries, some 
of Kentucky's brightest students have walked Centre College's campus. 
Our Commonwealth's first Governor, Isaac Shelby, chaired the inaugural 
board. Prominent Kentucky surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell, whose accolades 
include a statue here in the U.S. Capitol, also served as a trustee. To 
date, Centre's alumni include two U.S. Vice Presidents, one Chief 
Justice and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as more 
than a dozen Senators, 43 Members of Congress, and 11 Governors.
  Today, I would like to pay tribute to another leading member of 
Centre's community: its 20th president and my good friend Dr. John 
Roush. At the end of this month, John will complete his service to the 
school, closing out 22 years of achievement that have brought well-
deserved praise and growth to Centre.
  Since coming to Danville, John has led a transformation of the 
school. He championed major investments into campus infrastructure, the 
addition of new endowed professorships, and the completion of a $120 
million capital campaign. Along the way, a national publication twice 
named Centre the top school in the South.
  Of course, Centre College is no stranger to making national 
headlines. In 2000, Centre hosted a Vice Presidential debate between 
Dick Cheney and our former colleague Joe Lieberman. When Centre was 
selected for this prestigious honor, it was the smallest higher 
educational institution in history to host a Presidential or Vice 
Presidential debate. By any objective standard, the event was a total 
success, and it came as a clear result of John's creativity and 
ingenuity. Afterward, a Washington Post writer praised the debate as 
``one of the best ever. The whole day was a happy pageant of Norman 
Rockwell meets Alexis de Tocqueville.''
  That writer wasn't the only one impressed by Centre's performance. 
The Commission on Presidential Debates went back to John, asking Centre 
to host another Vice Presidential debate. Once again, the Centre 
community planned and executed an extraordinary event with the eyes of 
the country on them.
  Last year, John led Centre in the celebration of its bicentennial 
anniversary with a full year of events. While the school honored its 
distinguished history, John seemed to consider his own place in it. He 
announced his retirement from Centre, making him one of the three 
longest serving presidents in the school's history.
  Perhaps John's greatest legacy at Centre will be his fierce devotion 
to students. Every single graduate was invited into his home at least 
twice during their undergraduate years. With his beloved wife Susie, 
who is an institution herself, John brought compassionate leadership to 
all aspects of his work. His colleagues called John the institution's 
``beating heart.'' As he leaves campus at the end of this month, 1 day 
before his 70th birthday, he should take pride in a job very well done.
  I am sure Centre College planned several opportunities for its 
students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to express their sincere 
appreciation to John. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic changed 
many of those plans. But there is nothing that can change our heartfelt 
gratitude to John and Susie for all they have done for Centre College 
and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As they embark on their next 
adventure together, we wish them the very best.

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