[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            HONORING OVETA CULP HOBBY AT MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, The University of Mary Hardin-
Baylor in Belton, Texas will honor Oveta Culp Hobby at their 1994 
homecoming on April 16th. It is my privilege to share the history of 
this remarkable woman who will be honored for the contributions and 
sacrifices she has made in service to our country.
  Oveta Culp Hobby was born in Killeen, Texas, on January 19, 1905. The 
second of seven children, she was graduated from Temple High School. 
She attended Mary Hardin-Baylor College, now known as the University of 
Mary Hardin-Baylor, in Belton, Texas. In 1956 the University awarded 
her an honorary doctorate in the humanities.
  The Killeen native was married to William Pettus Hobby in 1931 and 
they had two children, Jessica and William. Mrs. Hobby and her husband 
purchased the Houston Post and worked together editing and publishing 
their newspaper. She also involved herself in numerous community 
activities such as serving as a member of the board of the Houston 
Museum of Fine Arts, a member of the Junior League, and president of 
the Texas League of Women Voters.
  In 1942, Oveta Culp Hobby put aside her business career, family, and 
civic duties when she was called to serve her country in World War II. 
Her first assignment was to head the Army's Bureau of Public Relations 
section. The section she headed was responsible for the promotion of 
the Army to wives and mothers of service men. A year later, Secretary 
of War Henry Stimson and General George C. Marshall gave her the task 
of finding what role women could fill in the country's efforts to 
defeat the Axis powers. Her duties included explaining before 
congressional panels a plan she helped develop for an Army corps 
consisting only of women.
  These army units became known as the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps or 
WACs. Because of her efforts, Oveta Culp Hobby was asked to command 
this newly commissioned corps, becoming the first female commander of a 
military unit in the U.S. Army. Under her direction, the WACs were 
transformed into a highly effective force that performed numerous 
duties critical to the country's war effort.
  After three years of dedicated service to her country, Mrs. Hobby 
left the Army. For her distinguished service, she was awarded the 
Distinguished Service Medal, becoming the first woman to receive this 
prestigious award.
  Following her military service, Oveta Culp Hobby resumed her career 
as director of KPRC-AM & FM and KPRC-TV and as editor and chairman of 
the board of the Houston Post. She also returned to her extensive 
involvement in civic groups. She served on the boards of the 
Advertising Federation of America, the American Design Award Committee, 
the American National Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the 
American Society of Newspaper Editors, and the American Assembly. In 
1948, she became a member of the United States delegation to the United 
Nations Conference on Freedom of Information and the Press in Geneva, 
Switzerland. Oveta Culp Hobby's contributions to her country's did not 
end with her military service. She worked closely with three U.S. 
presidents including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and 
Lyndon B. Johnson. President Eisenhower appointed her to the post of 
Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in 1953. The appointment 
made her the second woman to be appointed to a cabinet-level position 
and the first person to head the department. President Johnson 
appointed her to the National Advisory Commission of Selective Service. 
At his personal request, she flew to Vietnam as a member of the Health, 
Education and Welfare Task Force in 1966. As is evident, Oveta Culp 
Hobby is a multi-faceted woman deserving the highest recognition. She 
is to be commended and honored for having the strength to balance 
everything from being a wife, a mother, and a civic leader, to serving 
as a corporate executive and as a high ranking officer in the U.S. 
Army. Her vast leadership abilities come as no surprise to those who 
know her background and family. Her father, Ike W. Culp, was elected to 
the Texas State Legislature, and her husband served as the Governor of 
Texas. Her son, William, served as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas for 
18 years.
  Through her courageous leadership and selfless service to her 
country, Oveta Culp Hobby has paved the way for women who wish to serve 
in the armed services, enter the business world or take their place in 
the political realm. Her accomplishments are an example for all to 
follow. It is with great honor that I pay tribute to Oveta Culp Hobby 
for the many contributions and for the dedicated service she has given 
to our great country.

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