[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 139 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 COMMEMORATING THE RETIREMENT OF DR. BENEDICT K. ZOBRIST, DIRECTOR OF 
                      THE HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY

                                 ______


                            HON. ALAN WHEAT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 1994

  Mr. WHEAT. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise to pay tribute 
to Dr. Benedict K. Zobrist who will be retiring next month as director 
of the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, MO.
  For nearly a quarter of a century, Dr. Zobrist has been at the helm 
of the Truman Library--overseeing its growth over the years and sharing 
the Truman legacy with countless thousands. He leaves behind a proud 
record of service and dedication to one of our Nation's most treasured 
landmarks.
  Mr. Speaker, after leaving the White House, Harry Truman focused much 
of his efforts on establishing the Truman Library to help educate the 
country about his life, his work, and his times.
  He never wanted the library to be a temple for tribute, but, instead, 
a place for people to read, to listen, to learn, and to judge the 
period and Truman's work for themselves.
  As director, Dr. Zobrist made sure the library was run just the way 
Truman had envisioned it--and I know of no higher compliment than that.
  Researcher after researcher, author after author, have singled out 
the library and Director Zobrist for praise. In his Pulitzer Prize 
winning work--Truman--David McCullough probably said it best when he 
cited Dr. Zobrist and wrote, ``In my experience there is no more 
agreeable place in which to do research than the Truman Library.''
  Through his work as director, as an adjunct professor of history, as 
a lecturer, and in numerous other roles, Ben Zobrist has been a leading 
force in our community. He has helped open people's eyes and minds to 
the life and times of one of the greatest public figures of the 20th 
century.
  Over the course of my years in Congress, Dr. Zobrist has also been an 
important source of information and assistance to me and others who 
have worked on congressional efforts to preserve and enhance the Truman 
legacy.
  Even through Dr. Zobrist is technically retiring, I know that he will 
continue to carry on his work, including his important service on the 
Missouri State Historical Records Advisory Board.
  I wish Dr. Zobrist all the best as he looks back on a long and 
distinguished career and looks forward to the challenges ahead.

                          ____________________