[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ERLENE HIMES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable individual from my congressional district. Erlene Himes, a 
longtime educator and librarian, recently announced her retirement as 
director of the Marion County Public Library. Mrs. Himes has 
distinguished herself as a selfless leader throughout her many years of 
service to the communities of Marion County and Taylor County, 
Kentucky.
  A native of North Carolina, Mrs. Himes came to Kentucky in the early 
1960s to pursue a bachelors degree in elementary education at 
Campbellsville College. Upon completion of her studies, Mrs. Himes 
taught for 2 years at the Taylor County elementary school. This was 
followed by 2 years working in the Campbellsville College library. Soon 
thereafter, she earned a masters degree in library science from Western 
Kentucky University and began her 28-year career with the Marion County 
Board of Education. During these years Mrs. Himes worked at Calvary, 
Raywick, Bradfordsville, Glasscock Elementary and Marion County High 
School libraries, leaving a special mark at each school.
  While she was librarian at the Marion County High School, Mrs. Himes 
worked the concession stand at sports events in a successful effort to 
raise money to purchase the first computers for the library. She would 
later complete the ambitious task of cataloguing the entire high school 
circulation on computer.
  Erlene Himes retired from the Marion County Schools in 1996, 
refocusing her generous spirit on volunteer projects at the 
Campbellsville College Bookstore and the Taylor County Food Pantry. She 
was called back to duty in early 2001, becoming director of the Marion 
County Public Library. Under Mrs. Himes leadership, the library's 
patronage increased significantly, Friends of the Library were revived, 
and the library has been the recipient of three awards from the 
Kentucky Department of Libraries.
  On behalf of the countless men and women who have benefited from her 
generosity and vision, I would like to express my profound appreciation 
to Erlene for her years of service and wish her a very happy and 
healthy retirement.
  It is my great privilege to recognize Erlene Himes today, before the 
entire U.S. House of Representatives, for her exemplary citizenship and 
community engagement. Her efforts, past and present, make her an 
outstanding American, worthy of our collective respect and honor.

                          ____________________