[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING FLORA RICHARDSON WILHITE OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Flora Richardson Wilhite, 
of Baytown, Texas, for 32 years of outstanding service to the community 
as director of Sterling Municipal Library. Mrs. Wilhite may be retiring 
on January 31, 1998, but her contributions to Baytown will endure.
  Born in Port Arthur, Texas and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High 
School, Flora Wilhite knew early on that she would become a librarian. 
At age 6, her favorite Christmas present was a date stamp and ink pad, 
and she had already begun to arrange her books alphabetically by 
author's name. Those early indications led her to a long and 
distinguished career of service to Baytown.
  After receiving her degree in library science from North Texas State 
University, Mrs. Wilhite began her career as Engineering Librarian at 
Lamar University. She then served as a Command Librarian for the U.S. 
Army in Germany before becoming Director of Sterling Municipal Library 
in 1965. During her 32 years at Sterling, Mrs. Wilhite oversaw many 
changes and improvements to the library, including expanded services 
and renovations to the facility. She began the hugely successful 
Baytown Bookmobile, delivering library service to underserved areas, 
nursing homes, and off-site literacy projects. In addition, Sterling's 
nationally recognized Literacy Volunteers of America adult literacy 
program is the result of Mrs. Wilhite's dedication to improving lives 
and encouraging lifelong learning. Flora Wilhite's love of learning, 
enthusiasm, and list of achievements will be difficult to replace.
  Flora Wilhite has shown an unwavering dedication to the Baytown 
community. She most recently received Exxon USA's Refiner of the Year 
for 1977 for her outstanding service to the community. In 1988 she was 
named Library Director of the Year by the Texas Municipal League 
Library Directors Association, of which she was a charter member and 
second president. In addition, she was the first woman elected to the 
Board of Directors of the Baytown Chamber, and to the Board of 
Directors of the Rotary Club of Baytown. She was also named Rotarian of 
the Year in 1995-95, served on the Board of Directors of the United Way 
of Baytown, and was honored in 1995 by the Raytown chapter of the 
American Diabetes Association for her countless civic contributions.
  In retirement, Flora will now be able to spend more time with her 
husband, Ross, in the hobbies and pastimes they enjoy, particularly fly 
fishing and camping. This is a well-deserved change of pace. We all 
wish her well as she embarks on her new endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Rosa Wilhite for her 32 years of 
outstanding service to Baytown. Her contributions to Sterling Municipal 
Library and all of Baytown will endure for years to come.

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