[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              RECOGNIZING CHARLES E. ``CHARLIE'' WEATHERLY

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, on February 11, Mississippi State 
University named Charles E. ``Charlie'' Weatherly the 2005 National 
Alumnus of the Year. This is the highest honor that the MSU Alumni 
Association can bestow on a member and recognizes Charlie out of the 
nearly 100,000 alumni in the association.
  I know of no one in the Mississippi State family more deserving for 
this award than Charlie Weatherly. He has devoted 43 years of his life 
to the university and it is my distinct pleasure to honor him for that 
service today.
  Charlie graduated from Mississippi State College (now Mississippi 
State University) with a degree in industrial management in 1959. He 
was a star football player for the Bulldogs and active in campus 
activities. In 1962, he became the first full time field representative 
for the alumni association and served in this capacity until 1967, when 
he was appointed the association's executive secretary. In 1976, he was 
named Director of Alumni Affairs and served admirably in this position 
until 1986, when he became coordinator of special projects for both the 
Alumni Association and the MSU Foundation. Charlie was the prime 
fundraiser and coordinator for constructing the Eugene Butler Guest 
House, as well as serving as director of the first constituency based 
fund drive. Prior to retirement, he served as director of development 
for Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine and remains a member 
of the board of directors of the MSU Alumni Foundation, a scholarship 
assistance program for deserving MSU students.
  Mr. Speaker, our university experiences educate and shape our lives 
for many years to come. They are not just sources of academic expansion 
but also economic engines for communities like Starkville and states 
like Mississippi. It is notable to give back in some capacity to an 
institution that provides an improved quality of life for so many. For 
Charlie Weatherly, this was not a one time gift or occasional favor, 
but a lifetime of service and commitment that continues today. I am 
proud that the Mississippi State University Alumni Association has so 
properly bestowed this honor on him.

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