2021 -- H 6094

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF RUSH LIMBAUGH, THE GOAT OF

CONSERVATIVE TALK RADIO

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Nardone, and Roberts

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2021

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     WHEREAS, Rush Hudson Limbaugh, III, was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape

Girardeau, Missouri, into a highly regarded local family. His paternal grandfather, Rush Hudson

Limbaugh, served as a U.S. ambassador to India under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, an uncle

served as a federal judge during Ronald Reagan's presidency; and his conservative father, Rush

Hudson Limbaugh, II, worked as an attorney; and

     WHEREAS, Despite the disapproval of his family, from the age of 8, Rush Limbaugh

knew he wanted to pursue a career in radio. During high school, he landed his first radio job, and

using the pseudonym "Rusty Sharpe," he worked as a DJ for the local station KGMO which was

co-owned by his father; and

     WHEREAS, Upon graduating high school, Mr. Limbaugh briefly attended Southeast

Missouri State University but left the school in 1971, after one year of enrollment, in order to

pursue a career in radio. He had trouble keeping a position and was fired from stations in

Missouri and Pennsylvania for being too controversial as news commentator. He later recalled,

"My whole family thought I was destined for failure"; and

     WHEREAS, In the mid-1980s, following a stint as a ticket salesman for Major League

Baseball's Kansas City Royals, Mr. Limbaugh landed a job as an on-air host at KFBK in

Sacramento, California, with the help of a radio executive friend. While there, he took over

Morton Downey, Jr.'s slot, and met with success when his ratings surpassed his predecessor's.

Less than a year later, he became known as Sacramento's top radio host; and

     WHEREAS, In 1987, the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine ultimately paved the way for

Mr. Limbaugh's now-distinct, politically conservative radio style to take shape. Not long after, the

on-air host for KFBK left the station for a position at the ABC Radio Network, bringing his

newfound fame with him, as well as a reputation for having strong, conservative opinions; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Limbaugh is considered one of the most influential media figures in

American history and has played a consequential role in conservative politics since "The Rush

Limbaugh Show" began in 1988. Perched behind his Golden EIB (Excellence in Broadcasting)

Microphone, Mr. Limbaugh spent over three decades as arguably both the most beloved and

polarizing person in American media; and

     WHEREAS, The program that began 33 years ago on national syndication with only 56

radio stations grew to be the most listened to radio show in the United States, airing on more than

600 stations. Up to 27 million people tuned in on a weekly basis and Mr. Limbaugh lovingly

referred to his passionate fan base as "Dittoheads," as they would often say "ditto" when agreeing

with the iconic radio host; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his success on the radio, Mr. Limbaugh made regular

appearances as a political commentator on various TV programs, and authored numerous articles

and books, including the 1992's best-selling The Way Things Ought to Be and 1993's See, I Told

You So; and

     WHEREAS, "It's my job, it's my life, it's my career, it's my passion," Mr. Limbaugh once

said about his politically charged career as a radio host, commentator and writer. "I'm doing what

I love. I think I'm doing what I was born to do. I have no specific goals from this point forward. I

never have had specific goals. I've always thought, 'I know generally what I want to do. I want to

be in media, I want to be in radio.' It's what I love. It's what I do best. And I'm open to all

opportunities that come my way"; and

     WHEREAS, Rush Limbaugh was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993, and the

National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998. Additionally, he's a five-time winner

of the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Excellence in Syndicated and

Network Broadcasting; and

     WHEREAS, In February of 2020, Mr. Limbaugh revealed that he had been diagnosed

with advanced lung cancer. Shortly afterward, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address; and

     WHEREAS, In his final radio broadcast of 2020, Rush Limbaugh thanked his listeners

and supporters, revealing with a grateful heart at the time that he outlived his prognosis. On

February 17, 2021, he lost his battle with advanced lung cancer; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates the life and career of Rush Limbaugh, the Goat Of Conservative Talk Radio; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mrs. Kathryn Limbaugh.

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