[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 139 (Wednesday, August 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                        TRIBUTE TO BILL CAMERON

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, August 20 will be the end of an era in 
Chicago as WLS 890 AM political reporter Bill Cameron puts his 
microphone down after a 51-year career on the radio. Bill is the 
``Dean'' of Chicago political reporters, joining the city hall beat in 
1970 and covering all the major stories in Chicago since that time. The 
announcement of his pending retirement brought praise for Bill's 
legendary career, with one colleague calling him a ``walking 
encyclopedia of political knowledge.''
  When asked by a fellow reporter how he had survived his first 50 
years in the industry, Bill said he took inspiration in advice from 
Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks: ``Find something you love to do and 
stick with it.'' Stick with it; he certainly did. Bill earned the 
admiration of his peers for his ability to elicit honest answers from 
his interview subjects. Bill always finds a way to cut to the heart of 
an issue and deliver insightful reports for his listeners.
  Bill and I are both natives of East St. Louis, IL, though we never 
met until my Senate election and his Chicago beat brought us together. 
Bill's father Fred was a successful high school football coach, winning 
more than 100 games for the storied East St. Louis Flyers. Instead of 
following his father's footsteps into football, Bill chose broadcast 
journalism, earning a bachelor's degree at Indiana University. And we 
are all the better for it.
  Bill started as a news writer for NBC 5 in Chicago in 1969 but left 
TV for good the next year, signing on at the former WMAQ 670 AM. He was 
there until the station switched to an all-sports format in 2000, 
making the jump to WLS. Bill's legendary career includes two Edward R. 
Murrow Awards, a Peabody Award, and countless other accolades. In 
addition to his day-to-day duties covering the city hall beat for WLS, 
Bill is the host of the station's weekly public affairs show, 
``Connected to Chicago.''
  Bill has covered numerous mayors, Governors--and even U.S. Senators--
in his career. He has been there for election nights, policy press 
conferences, breaking news, and jury verdicts. He has seen it all in 
50-plus years of broadcasting. So what does he want to see now in 
retirement? Bill says it is time to go see more National Parks.
  Well, Bill, I hope you enjoy all the beauty that our National Parks 
have to offer you in retirement. I will miss your questions at press 
conferences and our lively discussions about the issues of the day on 
``Connected to Chicago.''
  You certainly found something you loved and stuck with it, and you 
did it with class.
  Enjoy your retirement.

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