[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 27 (Thursday, February 10, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S641-S642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DON NEAGLE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, after more than six decades as a 
staple of Logan County radio, Don Neagle is retiring this year. As the 
host of the WRUS morning show and the ``Feedback'' program, Don brings 
high-quality news to his community, interviewing everyone from 
politicians, to writers, to theologians. As one local leader put it so 
aptly, Don is Logan County's ``bulletin board,'' relaying all of his 
community's most important news in one place. Today, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Don in his retirement.
  For decades, Don arrived at his office every weekday at 4:15 am, 
preparing the day's news while most listeners were still fast asleep. 
By the time Logan County residents were on their morning commute, he 
was already halfway through his workday. Through his incredible work 
ethic and scrappy style, Don stayed ahead of breaking news and at the 
pinnacle of Kentucky journalism.
  Don is a legendary interviewer, and his ``Feedback'' show is the 
highlight of WRUS's entire programming lineup. Any leader in Kentucky 
government, myself included, knows that it's basically a requirement to 
be interviewed

[[Page S642]]

by Don when visiting Logan County. I have had the pleasure of speaking 
to him many times, and it is always an enlightening conversation full 
of informed, probing questions.
  Don's calm, constant voice has earned him many fans across the 
Commonwealth. He joined the Kentucky Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005 
and the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006, demonstrating that 
his influence reaches far beyond Logan County's borders. While his 
skill brought him acclaim from around Kentucky, he never strayed in his 
commitment to his Logan County home. Don's career was more than just a 
job; he formed a deep bond with Logan County, and even after six 
decades, he seems loath to give it up.
  Though Don is taking a step back from his expansive role at WRUS, he 
will remain at the station for the time being as host of ``Feedback'' 
and an occasional guest interviewer. In the meantime, he will have more 
time to spend with his two daughters, six grandchildren, and six great-
grandchildren. He will also be able to pursue his favorite lifelong 
pastime, reading, with new gusto.
  In honor of Don's retirement, I would like to thank him for his 
service to the Commonwealth and unflagging loyalty to strong local 
journalism. He has delivered an invaluable service to Logan County 
residents for more than 60 years, and we will all miss his ever-present 
voice.
  Mr. President, Bowling Green Daily News paid tribute to Don's career 
in a recent article. I ask unanimous consent the article be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From Bowling Green Daily News, Jan. 31, 2022]

              `Voice of Logan County' Announces Retirement

       Logan County residents have trusted Don Neagle as their 
     source of news for more than 63 years. But on Jan. 27, the 
     hall of fame broadcaster and journalist announced his career 
     was coming to an end.
       While he will continue to host his popular show 
     ``Feedback'' and will conduct other interviews for WRUS 
     radio, Neagle is permanently stepping away from his duties as 
     morning host.
       At 84 years old, Neagle said the decision to retire was 
     mostly because of health concerns.
       ``I have shingles, and I'm awfully uncomfortable now. I'm 
     dealing with back problems as well. I thought this would be 
     an ideal time to cut back,'' Neagle said. ``It's just an 
     obvious time to wrap it up. My wife died three years ago, and 
     she always said that when it was time to retire--you'll know 
     it. And I know it now.''
       Neagle joined WRUS on Sept. 1, 1958, after a stint at WKCT-
     AM in Bowling Green.
       Over the course of his career in Russellville, Neagle has 
     interviewed political figures, Pulitzer Prize-winning 
     writers, theologians and newsmakers of all types. He has 
     earned several honors, including his induction into the 
     Kentucky Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Kentucky 
     Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006.
       Neagle said what he will miss most about his time as 
     morning host is bringing the news to Logan County.
       ``I enjoyed promoting activities in our community and 
     particularly in our African American community,'' Neagle 
     said. ``I really enjoyed breaking news stories. We also put 
     our obituaries right in the front of our newscast. We wanted 
     people to know that information.''
       In 2002, Neagle partnered with Bill McGinnis and Chris 
     McGinnis to form Logan Radio Inc. and purchase WRUS.
       Chris McGinnis will take over the WRUS morning show on an 
     interim basis, while the search begins for a permanent host. 
     He told the Daily News that Neagle was viewed widely across 
     the state as ``the voice of Logan County.''
       ``He became the local trusted source for news and 
     information here,'' Chris McGinnis said. ``Don earned the 
     trust of the community. Through the years, Don Neagle was 
     that constant voice that soothed the community. He became 
     that comfort voice.''
       Chris McGinnis described Neagle as a man of faith who was 
     very educated, addicted to reading books and still a bit shy.
       ``You will not ever find a more gentle spirit than Don,'' 
     he said. ``He is an individual that cares and wants the best 
     for everyone. He is quick to lift up everyone. It's hard to 
     put into words what a kind spirit he is.''
       Neagle confirmed his love for reading and said in 
     retirement he hopes to become a night owl who stays up late 
     with his nose in a good book.
       He said his love for reading first came from his parents 
     while he grew up in rural Green County. Neagle would go on to 
     be valedictorian of his high school class.
       Besides reading, Neagle said he is looking forward to 
     spending more time with his friends and family.
       He had two daughters, and his late wife, Vivian Gray 
     Neagle, had two sons. Altogether, Neagle said he has six 
     grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
       Neagle specifically thanked his daughter Lisa Whitt, his 
     granddaughter Anna Haley and the people of Oak Grove Baptist 
     Church for their support during his career.
       ``I'm looking forward to having a quiet life,'' Neagle 
     said. ``I got all the traveling out of the way with my wife. 
     I'm looking forward to dealing with my pain and living in 
     peace with those who have been just so good to me.''
       Retired Logan County Circuit and Kentucky Supreme Court 
     Judge William Fuqua said he has been doing an oral history 
     program every Thursday morning with Neagle for over 25 years.
       Fuqua told the Daily News that Neagle's knowledge would be 
     ``irreplaceable'' to Logan County.
       ``I call him the community morning bulletin board,'' Fuqua 
     said with a laugh. ``He is always accessible. He is a class 
     guy, who loves his job and is dependable in every way I know. 
     He is a keystone of the community. People stop me on the 
     street and ask me about Don. I can't say enough good things 
     about him.''
       As he now heads into what Neagle hopes is a peaceful 
     retirement, the man who spent more than half a century 
     informing Russellville and Logan County leaves with a word of 
     thanks to his listeners.
       ``I've enjoyed the support from the people,'' Neagle said. 
     ``For the most part, they have been very kind to me. I love 
     and respect them very much.''

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