[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4333-S4334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GEORGE DANBY

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, over the course of my career in 
public service, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with--and 
sometimes being on the receiving end of interrogation by--hard-working, 
thoughtful members of the Maine press corps. They work day-in and day-
out to keep us government officials honest--and to keep members of the 
Maine public informed. There are few, however, that have had quite as 
much lasting impact on all of us as George Danby.
  George Danby began his career as a journalism cartoonist 50 years ago 
today--never mind that he was still a high school student. On July 14, 
1975, he began his storied career at the Bangor Daily News when he 
submitted an illustration to them that they wisely accepted. Over the 
years, he has drawn thousands of cartoons spotlighting not just leaders 
in Maine, but also critical story lines and public figures from around 
the world.
  He has drawn nine sitting Presidents and seven Governors. As a former 
Governor of Maine, I have been stung my fair share by his sharp pen and 
wit. But humor gets us all and Danby's incredible cartoons have hung in 
my offices throughout various points of my career. Years ago, I even 
said that Danby ``has the uncanny knack, essential to the cartoonist's 
art, of getting to the essence of the matter in a way that's memorable, 
accurate and usually funny (if being the butt of a joke published in 
the state's largest newspaper is your idea of funny).''
  And he is not just a visual communicator. In addition to his drawing 
skills, Danby has a thoughtful way with words. He is one of the few 
people who you can sit down with, disagree, and still find a way to 
move forward. In fact, he was no stranger to controversy. Yet, each 
time he drew a cartoon with searing commentary on the latest headlines, 
he found a way to open Maine readers' eyes and minds--and, in doing so, 
moving Maine's dialogue forward.

[[Page S4334]]

  When I asked Danby's colleague of more than 20 years, editorial page 
editor Susan Young, about Danby and his career, she had this to say: 
``Through his long and ongoing career in Bangor and beyond, George has 
never lost his keen sense of what matters in Maine, and to Mainers. He 
uses his artist's eye to urge us all to be better leaders, citizens and 
neighbors. Maine is lucky for his long career in his beloved home 
state.''
  Thank you, George, for your long-lasting service to our State. We are 
better off because of your work, your vision, and your continued 
commitment to truth, insight, and humor. And for that, we will be 
forever grateful.

                          ____________________