[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING DONALD E. GIRDLER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man 
who has spent his life working to help build a better Kentucky and a 
better United States of America. Mr. Donald E. Girdler of Pulaski 
County, KY, better known as simply ``Donnie,'' recently passed away. He 
was 63 years old.
  Mr. Girdler was passionate about politics, and he made it his life's 
work. He entered the political arena when he first worked on the 
campaign of my good friend Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky's Fifth 
Congressional District. Mr. Girdler had worked for Hal as a detective 
for 5 years before Hal, then a Commonwealth's attorney, decided to make 
a run at the U.S. House of Representatives. The political savvy and 
direction that Mr. Girdler would bring to the table would propel Hal 
Rogers to victory.
  There was a definite sense of gratitude from the Congressman for his 
trustworthy friend, Donnie Girdler. Mr. Girdler was at home in the 
world of politics and made connections in Washington, DC, that included 
becoming personally acquainted with five different Presidents of the 
United States and becoming personal friends with President George H.W. 
Bush and President George W. Bush.
  Donnie went on to work for over a quarter of a century for Rogers 
before finally retiring and returning to offer his much sought after 
insight in local politics. He made friends in several southeastern 
Kentucky counties and helped many of them get elected to public office. 
Mr. Girdler became a distinguished political consultant for the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky because of his years of experience and, most 
importantly, his absolute love of public service.
  Donald Girdler made an everlasting contribution to the world of 
Kentucky politics, and his motivation and innovation paved the way for 
others to get involved in their own way by bringing opportunities and 
jobs to the Pulaski County area. Donnie loved working in politics. He 
loved serving the public, but he was happiest when he was at his 
farmhouse in Nancy, KY, and he could fix up a pot of coffee and talk 
politics with his friends that would drop by from time to time.
  At this time I would like to ask my colleagues in the Senate to join 
me in commemorating Donald E. Girdler, an individual whose hard work 
and upstanding character, combined with his talents and passion, have 
forever changed the climate of politics in the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky.
  A news story highlighting the eventful life of Donnie Girdler was 
recently published in the Somerset, KY, area publication, the 
Commonwealth Journal.
  I ask unanimous consent that said story be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Commonwealth Journal, Jan. 9, 2012]

                Political Icon Donnie Girdler Dead at 63

                            (By Bill Mardis)

       A longtime aide to Congressman Hal Rogers and one of the 
     Lake Cumberland area's most savvy political strategists has 
     died.
       Donnie Girdler's death Sunday ended a career that evolved 
     through service in the military, local law enforcement, 
     congressional front man, and political adviser to candidates 
     and confidant to presidents. He was 63.
       ``As one who knew him for 37 years, I will say he was 
     highly motivated,'' said Dan Venters, justice of the Kentucky 
     Supreme Court.
       ``I have known Donnie Girdler as long as I have known 
     anyone in Pulaski County,'' said Venters. ``When I first came 
     here to work in (then) Commonwealth's Attorney Hal Rogers's 
     office, Donnie was the first person I met. He was serving as 
     Commonwealth's detective in Hal's office.
       ``There was something about us that bonded . . . he became 
     one of my closest friends and confidants,'' said Venters.
       Girdler worked for Congressman Rogers for more than a 
     quarter of a century.
       ``Donnie was one of my closest advisers and served 
     faithfully as a field representative for the Fifth 
     Congressional District,'' said Rogers. ``As a retired member 
     of the honorable U.S. Marine Corps and a former 
     Commonwealth's detective, Donnie was a man of integrity and 
     loyalty.
       ``With courage of conviction, Donnie played a key role in 
     bringing various opportunities and projects to the region. 
     But it was his passion for politics that many sought during 
     campaigns. His political savvy and insight were invaluable to 
     local, state and federal politicians. He was a true patriot 
     and a true friend,'' said Rogers.
       Girdler was a friend of presidents. He was personally 
     acquainted with five presidents and was a friend of the two 
     Bushes--George W. Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush. He 
     worked in Bob Dole's presidential campaign and was a 
     presidential elector for George W. Bush.
       Locally, Girdler managed the successful campaign of Pulaski 
     County Judge-Executive Barty Bullock and served as Bullock's 
     deputy judge for a year and a half.
       ``I am very saddened by the recent passing of Donnie 
     Girdler,'' Bullock said in a statement. ``I first met him 
     when I ran for county judge-executive in 2006. As we worked 
     and spent numerous hours together, we became very good 
     friends.
       ``Since the onset of his illness we have not had as much 
     communication as in the past, but I still think of our 
     friendship fondly. I know that Donnie had many friends, and 
     will be sadly missed by all who knew him,'' Bullock said.
       A political consultant since leaving Congressman Rogers's 
     office, Girdler developed close friendships with politicians 
     and officeholders in wide areas, particularly in McCreary, 
     Whitley, Clay and Knox counties.
       Said Lori Hines, a political partner, ``He had a great 
     insight into the human mind. He knew how people would react 
     more than anyone I have ever known. He definitely was a 
     people person. His voice was what defined him. People would 
     stop at his farmhouse in Nancy, have a cup of coffee and talk 
     politics,'' said Hines.
       Girdler has been nominated as a member of the Republican 
     Fifth District Hall of Fame. He will be inducted posthumously 
     in March.
       His body is at Pulaski Funeral Home where funeral 
     arrangements are pending. A complete obituary will be in 
     Wednesday's Commonwealth Journal.

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