[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MRS. NORINE S. GILSTRAP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2000

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary woman and a dear friend--The Honorable Norine S. 
Gilstrap, Tax Collector from Citrus County, Flonida. Mrs. Gilstrap is a 
very revered and respected tax collector who I'm sorry to say is 
retiring this year after 26 years of dedicated service to the people of 
Citrus County.
  Mrs. Gilstrap is well known for being a compassionate and dynamic 
leader.
  Even while growing up in Dunnellon during her high school years, Mrs. 
Gilstrap was an athlete, an artist, an enthusiast and a devoted church 
goer. She was active in such activities as the girls' basketball team, 
the theater department, in the girls' cheerleading team and in the 
Methodist Church Community in Dunnellon.
  Ms. Gilstrap maintained high grades while holding a part time job 
throughout high school. She valued a college degree so much that she 
worked every day after school and on Saturdays as a cashier at a local 
food store in order to save for her education. Her work and 
determination to get an education certainly shows a tremendous 
commitment and determination.
  On October 8, 1950, Norine married Robert N. Gilstrap. It wasn't long 
before the couple decided to start a family. As a devoted wife and 
mother of three children, she chose in the early years to focus much of 
her time to raising her family and community service. But she still 
longed to further her education by attending college. In 1964, she 
pursued her goal and enrolled at Central Florida Community College 
where she studied business. There she received the training that would 
soon prove extremely valuable to the people of Citrus County.
  On December 11, 1974, her beloved husband who was then the Citrus 
County Tax Collector passed away. Governor Ruben Askew appointed Mrs. 
Gilstrap to fulfill the final two years of her husband's term. Since 
then, the people of Citrus County have elected her to serve more than 
25 years of service as tax collector of Citrus County.
  Mrs. Gilstrap has always worked toward the betterment of our 
community. Throughout her life, she has participated in and held 
leadership roles in Altrusa, Beta Sigma Phi, Citrus County Chamber of 
Commerce, Leadership Citrus and the Heart Ball Committee.
  Her service has been rewarded with such prestigious honors as the 
First Annual Ten Most Admired Women in Citrus County. She was also one 
of the first five women inducted into Rotary. Her commitment to our 
community is well illustrated by her impressive list of prestigious 
accomplishments.
  Sharon Tenbroeck, Mrs. Gilstrap's assistant of 23 years at the Citrus 
County Tax Collector's office noted Ms. Gilstrap's perseverance and 
willingness to go the extra mile. ``Her high ethics and morals will be 
hard to replace. Because of her compassion to serving the public in the 
many capacities which she does, she is considered a treasure to all 
that are fortunate enough to meet her,'' Ms. Tenbroeck said. ``Her 
kindness and compassion have caused all of her employees to consider 
her family and she will be missed terribly.''
  Mrs. Gilstrap has touched so many lives during her lifetime of 
service. One such person is Alida Langley, who views Mrs. Gilstrap as a 
role model. ``From the time the Governor appointed Ms. Gilstrap to 
office, she has been professional, respected and appreciated by all,'' 
Mrs. Langley said. ``She is the ideal woman.'' Norine Gilstrap is the 
epitome of grace and goodness.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to Norine S. Gilstrap, 
a woman who stands for excellence, integrity and honor. We are all so 
grateful for her devoted service to Citrus County.

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