[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO JACK WILKINSON ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Jack Wilkinson, retired teacher in Leavy County.
  On Sunday, August 24, Mr. Wilkinson celebrated his 90th birthday. As 
the son of a pioneering family who moved to the area in the 1840s, Mr. 
Wilkinson spent most of his years in Leavy County. As a child, he 
helped his parents on their farm. The neighborhood school he attended, 
Union School, was one room with grades 1-6 and was used as a church on 
the weekends. He went on to earn his teaching certificate from the 
University of Florida, which only enrolled 4,000 students at the time, 
and is proud to say he saw the very first football game played in ``the 
swamp.'' Mr. Wilkinson then returned to his hometown of Chiefland, 
where he lives today. After dedicating half of his life to teaching 
math and helping students at the very high school he attended, 
Chiefland High School, Mr. Wilkinson quietly retired to his farm.
  I commend Mr. Wilkinson for the teaching services he provided and the 
90 years he has given his community.

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