[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            CITY OF PADUCAH

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment 
today to pay tribute to the city of Paducah and their innovative and 
successful Artist Relocation Program.
  The program is a past recipient of a Kentucky Governor's Award for 
contribution to arts in the State. The city has even been recognized by 
First Lady Laura Bush as part of the Preserve America Initiative. Most 
recently, the city was honored by the American Planning Association at 
their April 2004 national convention in Washington, DC. The Special 
Community Initiative award is given annually to a city displaying an 
innovative approach to improvement. This year there were over 200 
cities competing for this honor.
  The City of Paducah Artist Relocation Program recruits artists--both 
locally and nationally--to move to Paducah's downtown and historic 
Lower Tower area. The city has a long history providing many buildings 
and facilities that, while they are in disrepair, offer significant 
opportunity for renovation and improvement. Artists who relocate to 
Paducah are given a network of resources to restore facilities.
  The program is part of a long-term project to rejuvenate the City of 
Paducah's historic districts. Through the combined efforts of leaders 
in the city government, the Paducah Bank, Visitors' Bureau, PATS, local 
museums and businesses this program has seen tremendous success.
  The city and Commonwealth are already enjoying the benefits as an 
estimated $12 to $15 million has been infused into the local economy, 
thanks to this program. Any visitor can see the construction and 
revitalization underway in this Kentucky jewel.
  I wish to congratulate the leadership and vision of the City of 
Paducah on these tremendous honors, especially Program Founder Mark 
Barone, City of Paducah Planning Director Tom Barnett, City of Paducah 
Mayor Bill Paxton and McCracken County Judge Executive Danny Orazine. I 
look forward to the continued success of this great program.

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