[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAMES C. RUSSELL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Kentucky's barons of bourbon, Master Distiller James ``Jimmy'' C. 
Russell. This year marks Jimmy's 50th year of service at the Wild 
Turkey Bourbon Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY. Jimmy is so beloved at 
Wild Turkey, they named one of their finest products after him in 
2000--the 10-year-old Russell's Reserve. I recently toured the Wild 
Turkey Bourbon Distillery, where Jimmy showed me the bourbon-making 
process personally. The bourbon distillery tradition in Kentucky dates 
back to 1789, and has been handed down through generations of 
Kentuckians. Bourbon is truly a Kentucky product--named, in fact, for 
Bourbon County, Kentucky. Ninety percent of all bourbon worldwide is 
made in the Bluegrass State, and one of the most famous brands is Wild 
Turkey.
  Jimmy was born and raised just 5 miles from the Wild Turkey 
distillery, and both his grandfather and father worked there. Jimmy 
entered the family business in 1954 when he got his first job at the 
Lawrenceburg distillery. He mastered the craft under Mr. Bill Hughes, 
Wild Turkey's second Master Distiller, and Mr. Ernest W. Ripy Jr., the 
son of one of the original owners of Wild Turkey.
  Jimmy is especially proud that the family tradition will continue, as 
his son, Eddie, has worked at the Wild Turkey distillery for the past 
twenty years.
  Jimmy has become a legend in the distilled-spirits community over the 
last five decades. He is a director of the Kentucky Distillers 
Association, and spends time as a goodwill ambassador for Wild Turkey 
Bourbon. Throughout the Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery, he is known as 
a ``master distillers' master distiller.''
  Jimmy is a respected figure in his hometown of Lawrenceburg. He is a 
deacon at his local church and a supporter of Anderson County High 
School athletics. He also adores his wife of fifty years, Joretta, and 
their rose garden.
  Today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and recognizing Mr. 
James C. Russell, Master Distiller, and his 50 years of loyal service 
to the Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery and the Lawrenceburg, KY, 
community.

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