REMEMBERING MATT BAIR

On 2026-09-30, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING MATT BAIR" in the Senate.

REMEMBERING MATT BAIR

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 155 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S5248] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING MATT BAIR Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the life of one of Indiana's most iconic voices; Matt Bair. For years, residents of Indianapolis and central Indiana relied on Matt Bair to get them to work in the morning and safely back home in the afternoon. As the beloved traffic reporter for 93.1 FM WIBC in Indianapolis, Matt not only provided listeners with information on which roads to take or avoid during their commute but also brightened their days with his good cheer and quick wit. Matt's passing in August leaves a notable absence, not just for his family and colleagues at WIBC, but for his community as well. A graduate of Rochester High School and IUPUI, Matt started his career in broadcasting at his family's radio station WROI-FM in Fulton County. This was followed by 16 years at WIBC, a role he took seriously, particularly on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Year after year, he was up at 2:30 a.m. to help race fans find their way to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500. He loved his job, but maybe not as much as he was loved by his colleagues. They admired not only his humor but his honesty. Matt was candid about his own struggles with addiction in the hope that his experiences could help others battling the same illness. The Supporting Sobriety Podcast, which Matt cohosted and for which he received a Marconi Radio Award nomination, was one of the many ways he used his journey and platform to comfort and encourage others. Matt was also an advocate and supporter of the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center and of Horizon House, an Indianapolis homeless shelter where he worked to build a library. Matt Bair's voice will be deeply missed in central Indiana. He leaves behind so many friends and fans, as well as an enduring legacy of generosity and compassion. ____________________