[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP'S VIRGINIA WHITE FOR 25 YEARS OF PUBLIC 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE STABENOW

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who 
exemplifies public service in every sense of the word--Virginia White.
  After serving for 25 years as clerk of Meridian Township, Virginia 
has decided to step down from office, leaving a legacy of trust, 
responsibility, and dedication.
  As clerk, her responsibilities for Meridian Township included 
director of elections, keeper of records, and voting member on the 
township's policy board. But Virginia was much more. Virginia gained 
admiration by always doing what was best for her community--she was, 
and will always be, an outstanding public servant.
  During her 25 years in office, it wasn't just what Virginia did, but 
how she did it. Each responsibility she held was completed with 
conviction, pride, and the deepest sense of integrity.
  One of her largest contributions has been her work in bringing more 
people into the political process. As president of the Michigan 
Association of Clerks, Virginia worked hard to modernize elections for 
the public and wrote a book on how to improve voting in the State of 
Michigan. In November 1995, Virginia was appointed to the Secretary of 
State's Election Advisory Committee, where she made a series of 
recommendations to curb duplicate voting and make voting rules more 
clear for voters.
  I have enjoyed working with Virginia on many occasions during the 
past 20 years. I particularly appreciated our joint efforts to organize 
a celebration for the Meridian Township Sesquicentennial.
  Virginia will always be a leader, not only in Meridian Township, but 
throughout Michigan. I thank her for her service and I wish her the 
very best in the future.

                          ____________________