[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF MR. BILL WRIGHT--DONIPHAN, MO 1999 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, February 20, 1999, Mr. Bill 
Wright of Doniphan, Missouri was honored by the local Chamber of 
Commerce as the 1999 Citizen of the Year. More specifically, Bill was 
nominated for this recognition by his community because of his lifetime 
commitment to the Town of Doniphan--which makes this honor that much 
sweeter.
  Bill is well known in his community. He has been a life-long resident 
of Doniphan which is a small rural community located just outside the 
Mark Twain National Forest in Ripley County, Missouri. In fact, Bill 
has not only lived in the same town all of his life, but his home is on 
the very same spot of the original house in which he was born in 1917. 
Bill's family history in Doniphan is well established with one of the 
local parks, the Wright Park along Bill's beloved Current River, was 
named after his forefathers. Bill graduated from Doniphan High School 
in 1935 and attended Westminister College in Fulton, Missouri from 1935 
to 1937. Having played basketball in high school, Bill continues to be 
an avid fan of the sport. He is a regular spectator of the Doniphan 
High School ``Don'' and ``Donettes'' basketball. The morning after 
every game Bill can be heard on the local radio recapping the events. 
According to Bill, his continued ties to the high school have allowed 
him to ``keep in touch with more school students than he could have 
otherwise,'' and he has made bonds that have lasted through the 
generations.
  In addition to his love of basketball, Bill is a husband, a father 
and a grandfather. He has been married to Louise--who shares his love 
of basketball--for 33 years, and they have a daughter and a son and six 
grandchildren. Bill is a lifetime member of the United Methodist 
Church, where he served several years as the church secretary and where 
he just finished a year term as president of the church men's 
organization. He also served 4 years in the Army, where he served a 
tour of duty in Europe.
  I know from personal experience that Bill is a very active and 
energetic member of his community, and his positive contribution to his 
community is reflected through the Doniphan townsfolk's nominating Bill 
for Citizen of the Year. I think that Doniphan Chamber of Commerce 
President Russ O'Neil best sums up the essence of Bill Wright when he 
said that Bill ``could be counted on for a friendly smile, a handshake 
and a kind word. [Bill] has been actively involved in Doniphan and the 
community for many years and has chosen to support activities that 
would have positive affects on the people who call Doniphan home.'' 
Congratulations, Bill. May you, your loved ones, and the people of 
Doniphan be blessed with many more years of your thoughtful dedication 
to family, community and country.

                          ____________________