[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING JIM HOST

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2024

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an exceptional man, Mr. 
Jim Host, of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Host will receive the 2024 Tom 
Jernstedt Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Men's Final Four in 
Phoenix, Arizona. This award is presented to honor individuals who have 
made a meaningful impact on college basketball.
  Mr. Host grew up in Ashland, Kentucky. He earned one of the first two 
baseball scholarships given by the University of Kentucky in 1955. He 
graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in radio arts 
and played one year of pro baseball as a pitcher for the Chicago White 
Sox. A shoulder injury ended his baseball career. He was the youngest 
person to serve in Governor Louie Nunn's cabinet, as Commissioner of 
Public Information and Commissioner of Parks. He ran for Lieutenant 
Governor of Kentucky in 1971. Mr. Host served as Governor Ernie 
Fletcher's Secretary of Commerce from 2003 to 2005. His service to 
Kentucky continued as the first Executive Director of Rupp Arena, 
founding chairman of the Kentucky Horse Park, and chairman of the 
Louisville Arena Authority.
  Mr. Host was founder and CEO of Host Communications. His nationally 
known sports marketing company brought business knowledge and fresh 
ideas to college sports marketing. He began working with the NCAA in 
the mid-1970's and transformed the promotion of college basketball and 
the post-season tournament. Before his involvement, there was no 
``Final Four'' label and not even an official program for the 
tournament. With his entrepreneurial and innovative skills, he 
introduced corporate sponsorships, the national radio network, and many 
other successful ideas that made college basketball what we enjoy 
today.
  Mr. Host has earned many well-deserved accolades. He is a member of 
the UK Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni, the UK 
Athletics Hall of Fame, the National College Basketball Hall of Fame, 
and the National Tourism Hall of Fame. He was named Kentucky's 
Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998. From the Naismith Memorial Basketball 
Hall of Fame, he received the Chairman's Cup Award, the John Bunn 
Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a lifetime trustee.
  For his outstanding service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and for 
his latest award, the 2024 Tom Jernstedt Lifetime Achievement Award, it 
is my honor to call him my friend and to recognize his accomplishments 
before the United States House of Representatives.

                          ____________________