Floor SpeechCeremonial2024-09-18

HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD

TaxesForeign PolicyInfrastructureCivil Rights

Context

On 2024-09-18, Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy, infrastructure.

Full Text

HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E922] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD ______ HON. MORGAN McGARVEY of kentucky in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great leaders in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, former Governor and United States Senator Wendell H. Ford. September 8, 2024, would have been Senator Ford's 100th birthday, and the day brought back many special memories for me, my family, and countless others whose lives were improved by his lifetime of service. Born September 8, 1924, he is the first and only Kentuckian to ever serve as a state senator, lieutenant governor, governor, and United States senator. His career started in 1965 as a state senator from his hometown of Owensboro, later saw him serve as the Commonwealth's 49th governor from 1971 to 1974, and concluded with his retirement in January 1999 after four consecutive terms in the United States Senate. First elected to the Senate in December 1974, he served as Democratic whip from 1991 until his retirement. In the Senate, he played a key role in shaping many key pieces of legislation, including the National Voter Registration Act, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Energy Security Act of 1992, the Aviation Safety and Capacity Act of 1990, the Airport and Airways Capacity Expansion Act of 1987, the Age Discrimination Act in Employment Act Amendments of 1986, the Tobacco Reform Act of 1985, and the Energy Security Act of 1977. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, he led the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the inaugurations of President George H.W. Bush in 1989 and President William Jefferson Clinton in 1993 and 1997. In reflecting on Senator Ford's long and accomplished career--and what it might mean for us today--three thoughts stand out: First, he believed with all his heart that the sole purpose of government was to serve people, and he lived that philosophy every day in every office he held. Second, he thought that politics was an honorable calling and that government at any level could not succeed unless individuals from all walks of life took time to become involved and engaged. Third, coming from the state that produced Henry Clay, he recognized democracy could not work without compromise involving give and take from all sides. He was fond of saying that there are no victories in Washington, only varying degrees of defeat. Senator Ford continued his life of service after his Senate career ended, teaching at the University of Kentucky, working with young people at the Wendell H. Ford Education Center in Owensboro, and serving as a mentor to countless young leaders across the Commonwealth. He passed away on January 22, 2015, at the age of 90. His wife Jean celebrated her 100th birthday on March 1 of this year and still lives in the family home in Owensboro. She and Senator Ford were married 71 years before his passing. On a personal note, I would add that one of those young people receiving Senator Ford's wise counsel was me. He was a tremendous role model for me, a close friend of my family, and someone who demonstrated the true meaning of public service. Let his lifetime commitment of service be an example for us all as we remember him on the occasion of his 100th birthday. ____________________

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HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E922] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SENATOR WENDELL H. FORD ______ HON. MORGAN McGARVEY of kentucky in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great leaders in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, former Governor and United States Senator Wendell H. Ford. September 8, 2024, would have been Senator Ford's 100th birthday, and the day brought back many special memories for me, my family, and countless others whose lives were improved by his lifetime of service. Born September 8, 1924, he is the first and only Kentuckian to ever serve as a state senator, lieutenant governor, governor, and United States senator. His career started in 1965 as a state senator from his hometown of Owensboro, later saw him serve as the Commonwealth's 49th governor from 1971 to 1974, and concluded with his retirement in January 1999 after four consecutive terms in the United States Senate. First elected to the Senate in December 1974, he served as Democratic whip from 1991 until his retirement. In the Senate, he played a key role in shaping many key pieces of legislation, including the National Voter Registration Act, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National Energy Security Act of 1992, the Aviation Safety and Capacity Act of 1990, the Airport and Airways Capacity Expansion Act of 1987, the Age Discrimination Act in Employment Act Amendments of 1986, the Tobacco Reform Act of 1985, and the Energy Security Act of 1977. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, he led the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for the inaugurations of President George H.W. Bush in 1989 and President William Jefferson Clinton in 1993 and 1997. In reflecting on Senator Ford's long and accomplished career--and what it might mean for us today--three thoughts stand out: First, he believed with all his heart that the sole purpose of government was to serve people, and he lived that philosophy every day in every office he held. Second, he thought that politics was an honorable calling and that government at any level could not succeed unless individuals from all walks of life took time to become involved and engaged. Third, coming from the state that produced Henry Clay, he recognized democracy could not work without compromise involving give and take from all sides. He was fond of saying that there are no victories in Washington, only varying degrees of defeat. Senator Ford continued his life of service after his Senate career ended, teaching at the University of Kentucky, working with young people at the Wendell H. Ford Education Center in Owensboro, and serving as a mentor to countless young leaders across the Commonwealth. He passed away on January 22, 2015, at the age of 90. His wife Jean celebrated her 100th birthday on March 1 of this year and still lives in the family home in Owensboro. She and Senator Ford were married 71 years before his passing. On a personal note, I would add that one of those young people receiving Senator Ford's wise counsel was me. He was a tremendous role model for me, a close friend of my family, and someone who demonstrated the true meaning of public service. Let his lifetime commitment of service be an example for us all as we remember him on the occasion of his 100th birthday. ____________________