[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 174 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING WILLIE JAMES WHISENHUNT, RPH, AS THE 2007 TRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY 
    HEALTH CHAMPIONS HONOREE BY THE WEST FRESNO HEALTHCARE COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2007

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Willie James 
Whisenhunt, RPh for being named a 2007 honoree at the Tribute to Health 
Champions reception by the West Fresno Healthcare Coalition. A mere 
three days after arriving in our fair city, Mr. Whisenhunt opened the 
Westside Pharmacy. More than 30 years later his career and 
contributions to the area are impressive and most deserving of this 
honor.
  Mr. Whisenhunt was born in Vredenburgh, AL, the eldest of three 
children. His father, a carpenter, died when Mr. Whisenhunt was 10, and 
he was raised by his grandparents, uncle and aunt. His family taught 
him the value of hard work, commitment, and unconditional love. He 
received his high school diploma from Escambia County Training School, 
later receiving his bachelor's of science in pharmaceuticals from 
Xavier University of Louisiana.
  Community service has always been a focus in Mr. Whisenhunt's life, 
particularly his commitment to the youth of west Fresno. He has 
sponsored various athletic teams at Edison High School, including both 
the women's and men's baseball teams. He has helped southwest Fresno 
students by aiding speech teams and academic decathlons. He has been a 
mentor to our youth, promoting higher education in the community, 
encouraging students to pursue careers in science and funding trips to 
historically black colleges and our Nation's Capital. Outside the 
boundaries of west Fresno, he has served in various leadership 
positions, holding the distinction of being the only African American 
president of the Fresno-Madera Pharmacists Association.
  Furthermore, Mr. Whisenhunt has been a lifelong supporter to the 
United Negro College Fund, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the 
Silesian Society of Don Bosco. In 2006, he received the Health Care 
Professional of the Year Small Business Award from the Fresno Black 
Expo.
  Willie James Whisenhunt is a great man and a true example of the 
American Dream. It is with great pride that I congratulate him for 
receiving this distinguished award and for all that he does on behalf 
of west Fresno.

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