[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E205-E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO NELDA BARTON-COLLINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 11, 1997

  Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, during our lifetimes, we each have an 
opportunity to make our mark in this world. Some of us meet this 
challenge with tremendous gusto and commitment, and today I want to pay 
tribute to an outstanding woman who has done just that.

[[Page E206]]

  Nelda Barton-Collings is a 40-year resident of Corbin (Whitley 
County) in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District, which I represent. 
Nelda is more than a constituent. She is a friend, a certified medical 
technologist, a licensed nursing home administrator, a successful 
business entrepreneur, a political activist, a mother, a grandmother, a 
great-grandmother, and an inspiration to thousands of people in my home 
State of Kentucky.
  When President Dwight D. Eisenhower said that politics should be a 
part-time profession for every citizen who wants to protect the rights 
and privileges of free people and wants to preserve what is good in our 
national heritage, he must have been thinking of Nelda Barton-Collings.
  Nelda first ventured into politics during the late 1950's when her 
brother-in-law ran for tax commissioner of Whitley County. Since then, 
she has emerged as an effective leader in the Kentucky GOP, a committed 
representative for our State, and a prominent national figure. She 
served as Kentucky's Republican National Committeewoman for nearly 29 
years--longer than any of the RNC's other members--and during the last 
four years she had the honor of serving as the RNC's national 
secretary. She was also the first woman from Kentucky to give a major 
address during a Republican National Convention (1980).
  But, Nelda is more than a woman involved in Republican politics. She 
is an accomplished businesswoman, and she has a long history of being 
very involved in her community. In 1990 she was elected the first woman 
chairman of the board for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. From 1990-
92 she sat on the National Advisory Council to the Small Business 
Administration. She was appointed by President Reagan to the Federal 
Council on Aging and by President George Bush to the President's 
Council on Rural America.
  The many awards and honors she has received over the years speak 
volumes regarding her concern for and investment in Kentucky. She was 
recognized in 1992 by the Kentucky Association of Health Care 
Facilities when they established the Nelda Barton Community Service 
Award in her honor. October 22, 1973, was proclaimed Nelda Barton Day 
by the mayor of Corbin. Additionally, she has received the Kentucky 
Medical Association's Outstanding Layperson Award (1992); Cumberland 
College's Medal of Honor (1988); the Kentucky Business and Professional 
Women's Kentucky Woman of Achievement Award (1982-1983); Kentucky 
Federation Republican Woman of the year (1968); the Tri-County Woman of 
Achievement (1982); the Dwight David Eisenhower Award (1970); and I 
could go on and on.
  Although there is no one I know of that has devoted more time and 
attention to Republican activities than Melda, she has always been very 
well-respected by people of all political persuasions. Her number one 
priority has been bringing people together and pursuing ideals that 
will make our Nation strong. Her politics have always been marked by 
her concern for those around her. She has made her mark in Kentucky 
with a touch of class and an abundance of style.
  I want to thank Nelda for all her hard work over the years on behalf 
of Kentuckians. While she will be greatly missed as Kentucky's 
representative on the Republican National Committee, I have no doubt 
that she will continue to serve as an inspiration to the men and women 
of our State.

                          ____________________