[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S64]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA WHITE

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Virginia White, a public servant of outstanding integrity and honesty, 
who is retiring after 25 years of service to her community. On January 
31, Virginia will end her tenure as Meridian Township Clerk.
  In 1972, Virginia was first elected as Township Clerk on the promise 
to improve her community. Not only did she fulfill her pledge, but she 
began a long, meritorious career serving the people of Meridian 
Township. During her time as clerk, she established a reputation for 
hard work and dedication to serving her community. While a clerk, 
Virginia's dedication to Meridian Township was unsurpassed and she 
maintained the greatest of commitments to public service. Mr. 
President, Virginia White is one of few individuals I can think of who 
truly embodies the ideals and principles that define the term ``public 
servant.''
  Virginia's desire to better her community reached far beyond Meridian 
Township. When she co-founded the Michigan Association of Clerks, a 
network was formed which brought city and township clerks across the 
State of Michigan together. Additionally, in an effort to create better 
systems of local governance, she wrote a national manual on conducting 
elections. Together, these efforts reflect Virginia's longstanding 
pursuit to provide her municipality with the best possible clerk. I am 
proud to say she accomplished this goal with great distinction. 
Although Virginia will be greatly missed, I know she is looking forward 
to a well-deserved retirement. I join her family, friends, and 
colleagues in wishing her all the best with her new endeavors and a 
bright future.

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