[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1058-1059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING WENDELL FORD

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today the United States Senate family lost 
one of its Members. Early this morning, our friend and colleague, 
Senator Wendell Ford, passed away at his home in Owensboro, KY.
  Senator Wendell Ford's service to his State and country spanned seven 
decades. A veteran of World War II and longtime member of the Kentucky 
Army National Guard, Wendell Ford's first elected position was that of 
State senator. In 1967 he ran successfully for Lieutenant Governor. 
Four years later he was elected Governor.
  Following his term as Governor, the people of Kentucky sent him to 
the U.S. Senate, where he enjoyed a distinguished 24-year career. He 
was my predecessor as Democratic whip, a position that he held from 
1995 to 1999.

[[Page 1059]]

When Senator Ford retired, he was the longest serving U.S. Senator in 
Kentucky history, a record that my friend, the majority leader, 
eclipsed in 2009.
  Senator Wendell Ford loved Kentucky. His loyalty to his home State 
was never in question. During his time here in the Senate, he 
unabashedly and unapologetically fought for anything that would give 
Kentucky families a helping hand. Similarly, anyone or anything that 
threatened Kentucky and its people was met with Senator Ford's fierce 
opposition.
  My thoughts today are with his family. I express my condolences to 
his wife of 71 years, Jean Neel, their children, grandchildren and 
great-grandchildren. Senator Wendell Ford will be greatly missed by his 
loved ones, the people of Kentucky and the United States of America.

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