[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21885]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO ELLEN WILLIAMS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize my 
good friend Ellen Williams for her tremendous work as chairwoman of the 
Kentucky Republican Party.
  To say that Ellen Williams is a busy woman is quite the 
understatement. Besides being a wife, Mom, soccer coach, and part-time 
career woman, Ellen is chairwoman of the Republican Party of Kentucky. 
She has a history of service spanning more than 15 years, which 
includes work in President Reagan's 1984 reelection campaign, Larry 
Forgy's 1995 gubernatorial campaign, and as state executive director of 
the Kentucky Republican Party in 1992-93. Ellen has shared her time, 
knowledge, and spirit with Kentucky Republicans over the last several 
years, and she continues to share her able leadership skills with us 
now as chairwoman of our party.
  Ellen is a confident, capable leader. In her position as chairwoman, 
one of her many responsibilities is to be the voice of the Kentucky 
Republican Party. Ellen makes it her business to have her finger on the 
pulse of the State's Republicans. Considering the liberal leaning 
nature of the Kentucky press, I am fully aware of the challenge that 
being a spokesperson presents. Ellen is a true professional when it 
comes to dealing with the media, and handles each statement she gives 
and each press conference she holds with style and grace.
  Another part of Ellen's job is to rally Kentucky Republicans for 
local, State and national races. This responsibility requires her to do 
a great deal of traveling--a recent Anderson News article says that 
Ellen has driven nearly 30,000 miles in the last year going to meetings 
and party events across the State. The fresh enthusiasm Ellen has 
brought to her post as chairwoman is invaluable, and I thank you, 
Ellen, for all that you do.
  I also thank your husband, Greg, whom you have referred to as your 
``co-chairman,'' and to your two young sons, Sam and Joey. I thank them 
for sharing you with Kentucky's Republicans, and for the love and 
support they provide which makes it possible for you to do the 
excellent job you do.
  Ellen leads the party during an exciting time in Kentucky politics 
and in national politics. Our great state boasts two Republican U.S. 
Senators, five Republican Members of the U.S. Congress, a Republican 
majority in the State senate, and a promising November election for our 
Presidential nominee, Gov. George W. Bush. As chairman of Bush/Cheney 
2000 in Kentucky, I want to say a special thank you, Ellen, for all of 
your hard work thus far. Thank you in advance for all of the hours of 
work yet to come before November 7.

                          ____________________