[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H16929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF REUBEN WHEATLEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Again, Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to 
be speaking to my colleagues as you preside over this Chamber, and we 
thank you for your leadership.
  I am privileged this evening to be able to stand on the floor of the 
House and salute a very dear friend, a friend who will commemorate and 
celebrate for his homegoing ceremony on this coming Friday, December 
21, 2007. We will lay this battle-worn warrior, this friendly and 
wonderful public servant, Reuben Wheatley, to rest. I stand here as a 
longstanding friend, as a grateful member of his community, for all 
that he did to promote equality and justice and freedom.
  Yes, Reuben Wheatley, born September 15, 1921 was, in fact, a member 
of the movement both in terms of creating opportunities for those of 
African American heritage and others and as well in fighting for the 
working men and women of America.
  He was the proud son of Fifth Ward. Yes, that is in Houston, Texas, 
but everybody knows there is something called proudly Fifth Ward, 
Texas. Educated in the Houston Independent School District, and 
certainly whenever you would see Reuben, he would talk about his 
beloved Wheatley High School, Phyllis Wheatley High School, and he was 
an all-star member of the track team, the football team and the 
basketball team. And he was quick, regal, tall and quick. They called 
him ``Rabbit.'' He joined the church at the Sloan Memorial United 
Methodist Church, a church still standing proudly in Fifth Ward.
  But yet as this young man grew, he loved this Nation. And in 1941 he 
heeded the call of this Nation, the need of this Nation and went to 
war, World War II. He participated in the European Theater of 
Operations and was honorably discharged by the United States Army as 
master sergeant. He had the good sense, if you will, when he returned 
to marry Helen McCree his high school sweetheart, on November 18, 1945.
  How grateful we are that he was one of the returning heroes, that as 
he battled in World War II, he lived to be able to enjoy the 
partnership, friendship and love of Helen McCree, now his wife, Helen 
Wheatley.
  His father was a longshoreman, and in those days, the union and 
working for the union and working for the longshoremen, that was a job 
for African Americans that was a legacy, an opportunity, a step up. And 
so when he came back from the war, he joined in the footsteps of his 
father and became a member of the International Longshoremen's 
Association, Local Number 872.
  And boy, did he become a member, and did he not serve. Reuben 
Wheatley had his hands on the pulse of the community. He understood the 
importance and the necessity of empowerment of minorities. He was one 
of the champions of the election of the Honorable Barbara Jordan. 
Almost every elected person that could come out of Fifth Ward, Reuben 
Wheatley was there. He was there for Mickey Leland. And I am so 
grateful that he stretched his arms to be there for Sheila Jackson-Lee. 
As I ran for judge and city council, he saw in me something worth 
investing in.
  Thank you, Reuben, and thank you to your wonderful family, your 
daughters, who you love so dearly, one in particular was named the name 
that I have, Sheila. And she, of course, along with her siblings were 
stars, and they were that because of Reuben and his wife Helen.
  And so I am here today to thank you, Reuben, for now you fly where 
the angels fly. Thank you, Reuben, for being regal and tall. Thank you 
for smiling. Thank you for loving. Thank you for being that star at 
Wheatley so that your classmates can enjoy talking about your exploits 
on the football field, the basketball court, and the track, and yes, to 
remember that friendly name, ``Rabbit.''
  Thank you for your faith and your commitment to your country. Thank 
you for your commitment, again, to family. Houston, Texas, the State of 
Texas and certainly our Nation is better because you yet lived. On 
Friday, it will be a celebration. Although tears will fall, we will be 
so grateful to continue to see you even as I speak, walking lightly in 
front of us.
  Madam Speaker, it is certainly great to be able to say tonight, 
``Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'' And that is what we say 
to Reuben Wheatley as he is laid to rest. We celebrate him and 
congratulate his life. God bless the family, and God bless him as he 
rests.

         Congressional Resolution In Memory of Reuben Wheatley

       Whereas, on September 15, 1921, God blessed Emory McMillan, 
     Sr and Creola Boyd Wheatley with the birth of their son, 
     Reuben; and
       Whereas, as a proud son of the Fifth Ward, Texas Wheatley 
     clan, Reuben was educated in the Houston Independent School 
     District. At his beloved Phillis Wheatley High School, he 
     excelled in football, basketball, and track and field earning 
     the nickname ``Rabbit''; and
       Whereas, Reuben was presented to Christ by his parents at 
     Sloan Memorial United Methodist Church. He later joined his 
     bride at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and 
     subsequently, both as faithful servants of the Lord, joined 
     Brentwood Baptist Church; and
       Whereas, in 1941, Reuben honored the call to serve his 
     country during World War II. He participated in the European 
     Theater of Operations and was honorably discharged from the 
     United States Army as Master Sergeant. Upon his return from 
     the service in 1945, Reuben married Helen McCree, his high 
     school sweetheart, on November 18th; and
       Whereas, in 1946, Reuben began his career along the shore 
     working on the Houston docks where his father had worked 
     since 1921. He was a member of International Longshoremen's 
     Association, Local #872; and
       Whereas, he served his home local as Trustee, Recording 
     Secretary and Business Agent before being elected President 
     in 1971. In 1975, he became Executive Vice President of the 
     South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of the ILA; and
       Whereas, he served as an active board member of Family 
     Services of Greater Houston and an avid financial supporter 
     of the United Negro College Fund; and
       Whereas, Reuben was deeply committed to his community and 
     his civic involvement reflected his concerns; and
       Whereas, the memory of Reuben Wheatley will forever be in 
     our hearts and minds as we go forth to celebrate his life 
     today; and now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That on behalf of the constituents of the 
     Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, Reuben Wheatley 
     will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his 
     community service, and his passion for music. His life will 
     serve as an example to all of us to continue his legacy to 
     serve others. His death is a great loss to us, but we know 
     that his work on Earth is finished, and we believe the Master 
     will say, ``Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter. 
     . . .''

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