Congressional Record—Senate S7956
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S7956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 17, 2010 State senate in 1994, where he rep- ship to college, later graduating from would be able to benefit from the same resented Blaine, Camas, Gooding, and Columbia University with a degree in opportunities he had growing up. As Lincoln Counties. For a decade, he also economics. someone who worked to ensure that served as former Democratic minority In the 1950s, following a brief stint bright, hard working students from leader for the Idaho State Senate. working for a Michigan paper company low-income families who were accepted Clint always kept his mind and heart and several years of service in the U.S. to one of the country’s most pres- open as he worked hard for Idahoans. Army during World War II, John start- tigious universities would be able to Clint was a principled, considerate and ed purchasing radio stations through- make the most of their college edu- devoted leader. With an unequalled out the country. By the time he found- cations. As someone who gave back to dedication, he had a love for natural ed Metromedia, the country’s first the people and institutions that helped resources, agricultural efforts and the major independent broadcasting com- make his meteoric rise in the cor- beauty of the State. Clint was a suc- pany, in 1961, he had already made a porate world possible. cessful, hard-working and fair business- small fortune from his radio stations For my part, I will certainly remem- man. He loved his family very much, and a regional food distribution busi- ber John Kluge for his uncanny busi- and he will be remembered as a loving ness he founded in Baltimore. When he ness acumen and singular dedication to husband and brother. sold Metromedia two decades later, philanthropy. But at the end of the My condolences and heart-felt pray- John increased his net worth even day, I will also recall John as a won- ers go out to his wife Michelle, his ex- more substantially, making nearly $4.7 derful, dear friend who was always a tended family, friends and loved ones. billion in the process. pleasure to be around. Clint Stennett will be greatly missed, Clearly, it would have been incred- You see, in spite of everything, John and his immense contribution to the ibly easy for John to have simply never let his wealth or position in life State of Idaho will not be forgotten.∑ taken his money ‘‘. and joined the get to his head. During the time that I f country club and gotten into this pat- knew him, John was always an ex- tern of complaining about the world tremely kind, good-natured, and genu- REMEMBERING JOHN W. KLUGE and about the tax law,’’ as he once put inely fun person. He was always acces- ∑ Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today I it in an interview for the New York sible and easy to talk to, and I will wish to pay tribute to John Kluge, a Times. But John Kluge never had any miss his company immensely. very close friend of mine who passed desire to spend the rest of his life sit- And so it is with a heavy heart that away on September 7, 2010, at the age ting around and frittering away his I rise today to say goodbye to such a of 95. I would also like to take this op- wealth. He placed a tremendous special individual. Once again, I would portunity to express my heartfelt con- amount of value on a hard, honest like to extend my sincere condolences dolences to his wife Maria; his children day’s work. And it was the sense of ful- to his loving family and to all those in- John and Samantha; and his step- fillment he derived from his own work dividuals who, like me, were so lucky children Joseph, Diane, Jeannette, and that ultimately served as the driving to have John in their lives.∑ Peter. For all of us who had the privi- force behind his numerous accomplish- f lege of getting to know him, this is a ments. tremendous loss. Indeed, John Kluge was the consum- TRIBUTE TO COLONEL RICHARD It is no exaggeration to say that mate workhorse. More inclined to ROOT John led a truly remarkable life. Hav- avoid the trappings of fame and rec- ∑ Mr. DODD. Mr. President, today I ing made a substantial fortune from a ognition than many contemporary cor- recognize the accomplishments of Colo- communications empire that included porate executives, John never retained nel Richard Root, of the U.S. Army, everything from television and radio a public relations staff. He was content who was recently promoted from the stations to mobile phones and the Har- to work behind the scenes, building his rank of lieutenant colonel. Until his re- lem Globetrotters, John regularly telecommunications empire and ce- cent transfer to the highly competitive graced Forbes magazine’s annual list of menting his position as one of Amer- Senior Service College, Colonel Root the 400 wealthiest Americans. ica’s most gifted business strategists worked for more than 3 years in the But John was not born with the pro- with little fanfare. Army’s Legislative Affairs Office as a verbial ‘‘silver spoon’’ in his mouth. He But John was much more than a tal- Senate liaison officer. I had the pleas- didn’t inherit his wealth. John Kluge ented entrepreneur who rose from hum- ure of working with Colonel Root fre- built his company, Metromedia, on his ble beginnings to strike it rich. In quently during that time, and was own, through nothing more than hard large part, I believe, because he was therefore proud to be able to join my work, spot-on business instincts and, not born into a life of privilege, John colleague and good friend Senator as John himself often freely admitted, was absolutely committed to putting CORKER in hosting his promotion cere- a little bit of good luck. his largesse to work for others. He was mony in the Capitol. I would like to ex- Indeed, John’s life reads like a pitch- a prolific philanthropist, and among tend my sincere congratulations to perfect version of a classic American the many worthy causes and organiza- Colonel Root and his family for this success story—a potent reminder of tions that benefitted from his gen- well-deserved recognition. what individuals can accomplish with erosity over the years, the presence of For more than 21 years, including 3 dedication, tenacity, and a healthy John’s contributions can probably be in combat, Colonel Root has been faith- dose of self-confidence and optimism. most clearly felt at his alma mater, fully serving our Nation as a member Born in Chemnitz, Germany, in 1914, Columbia. of the Armed Forces. Beginning in 1989, John moved with his family to Detroit Throughout his life, John donated when he was commissioned as a field in 1922 and took his first job as a pay- substantial sums of money to Colum- artillery lieutenant, Colonel Root’s as- roll clerk for his stepfather’s business bia, primarily to fund scholarships for signments have taken him around the when he was just 10. From a very early underprivileged and minority students. country and the world, including sev- age, John was driven to make the most But in 2007, John surprised everyone eral deployments during Operation of the educational opportunities avail- when he pledged that, upon his death, Desert Storm in 1991 and, more re- able to him. During his teenage years, the university would receive a gift of cently, during Operation Iraqi Free- when his stepfather asked him to drop $400 million from his estate. To provide dom. Throughout his more than two out of school so he could work full time a sense of scale here, that single gift is decades in the Army, Colonel Root has at the family business, John instead the largest Columbia has ever received, been recognized on a number of occa- opted to leave home and live with his and by far the largest ever given to an sions for his superior service and valor, typing teacher so he could continue his institution of higher learning specifi- receiving, among other decorations, education. cally to help students afford tuition. the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meri- That decision ultimately paid off. And that is exactly the way I think torious Service Medal, Army Com- During his high school years, John John would have wanted to be remem- mendation Medal, Army Achievement worked extremely hard to get good bered as an individual who used his Medal, Air Assault Badge, Army Staff grades and eventually won a scholar- good fortune to make sure others Badge, and Combat Action Badge. VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:04 Nov 18, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G17NO6.011 S17NOPT1 tjames on DSKG8SOYB1PROD with SENATE November 17, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7957 Most recently, in his role as a liaison Jones Center welcomes more than 1 one of five national Environmental officer to the U.S. Senate, Colonel Root million visitors per year, with an oper- Stewardship Award winners for its once again distinguished himself, de- ating budget of $2.4 million. Programs commitment to best management prac- veloping outstanding relationships and amenities at the center include an tices. Tyson Foods continually uses the with Senators and staff members alike. ice rink, junior Olympic competition farm as a model for environmental During his 3 years of service in the Of- swimming pool, fun pool with slide, fit- stewardship.