[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO ALABAMA POLITICAL JOURNALIST BOB INGRAM, 1926-2007

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. EVERETT. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to a man who for a 
generation symbolized great class and professionalism in Alabama 
political journalism, Bob Ingram.
  Alabamians statewide, and, in particular, in the political and 
journalism communities, were saddened to learn of the passing of Bob 
Ingram on October 18 at the age of 81. To all those who knew him, Bob 
was an unquestioned authority on State politics. He possessed a 
comfortable familiarity with the historical and personal side of 
Alabama government and the key players who shaped it going back some 6 
decades. He was unequalled in his political wisdom because he was a 
witness to and participant in government. He covered our State through 
both tough and brighter times but he never lost his love for Alabama 
and its often colorful political figures.
  Bob began his career as a reporter for the Cherokee Herald in his 
hometown of Centre. His mother, the town librarian, instilled in him a 
passion for writing which not only pointed him on his way to a 
remarkable journalism career, but also to authoring several insightful 
books on the Alabama political scene.
  A World War II Marine Corps veteran, reporter for the Montgomery 
Advertiser, writer of a statewide political column for nearly 50 years, 
State Finance Director for Governor Albert Brewer, and respected 
television political commentator in central and southeast Alabama--Bob 
Ingram was a man of many talents, unified by his love of politics.
  There were no sacred cows with Bob's political commentary. That's why 
we trusted him. You knew his opinions were well-researched and from the 
heart.
  From Big Jim Folsom to Gordon Persons, Patterson, Wallace, Brewer, 
James, Hunt, Baxley, Siegelman, Riley--he knew them all. Whatever 
occurred in Alabama politics, you wanted to get Bob's thoughts. He also 
brought touches of grace, humor, and humility to his commentary--always 
realizing the pressures and vicissitudes of human nature in the 
political arena.
  Thank you, Bob, for your love of Alabama and her political 
institutions. Your indelible mark will be felt as strongly as any 
public servant. And that's the way we see it.

                          ____________________