[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PARKER WESTBROOK

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, it is with Arkansas pride that 
today I honor one of the great sons of the Natural State, Parker 
Westbrook of Nashville, AR. On October 20, 2009, the Howard County 
Democratic Central Committee is sponsoring a dinner to honor his 
lifelong public service to Arkansas and his country.
  The day after Christmas in 1948, Westbrook set out with newly elected 
Congressman Boyd Tackett of Nashville for Washington, DC. Over the 
course of the next 26 years, Parker served his home State in our 
Nation's Capital for four members of the Arkansas congressional 
delegation, most notably as a special assistant to U.S. Senator J. 
William Fulbright. In 1975, he returned to Arkansas and served as a 
special assistant to Governor David Pryor.
  Although public service in government was a calling for much of Mr. 
Westbrook's life, his true passion was historic preservation. Westbrook 
was born in 1926 and was the third generation of the Westbrook-Parker 
families to live in the home of his maternal grandfather, which is 
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house and 
farmstead provided Parker with an early appreciation for historic 
preservation, and after leaving Washington in 1974, he set out on a 
course to help preserve Arkansas's cultural legacy.
  While working for Governor Pryor, Westbrook was elected to the 
Pioneer Washington Foundation, Inc. Board, a private nonprofit group 
committed to preserving Historic Washington. Washington, AR, is home to 
the oldest continuous post office in Arkansas, established on February 
23, 1820 shortly after Arkansas became a territory. In 1979, Westbrook 
became a full-time volunteer and restoration adviser. In 1980, he 
became the executive director and was elected president of the 
foundation in 1990. He continued in that role until May of this year.
  In 1975, Westbrook was elected to the Historic Arkansas Museum Board 
of Directors and has served that organization continuously for 34 
years. For many years, he was chairman and now holds the title of 
chairman emeritus.
  Westbrook was also appointed to the Arkansas State Review Board of 
the Historic Preservation Program in 1975. He was reappointed three 
times by Governor Bill Clinton and again by Governor Jim Guy Tucker and 
served as chairman for 4\1/2\ years.
  In addition, Westbrook has served on a number of other Arkansas 
historic entities including the Historic Preservation Alliance of 
Arkansas, Department of Arkansas Heritage Advisory Board, the President 
William J. Clinton Birthplace Foundation, Corinth Cemetery Association 
in Howard County, Friends of the Carousel, and Main Street Arkansas 
Advisory Board.
  He has been awarded the Arkansas Historical Association's Endowed 
History Award and was recognized in 1986 as Arkansas's Distinguished 
Citizen for his volunteer work.
  In 1995, President Clinton recognized Westbrook's longstanding 
service to historic preservation and appointed him to the President's 
Council for Historic Preservation where he served until 2003.
  In addition, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit twice appointed Parker 
to the National Park System Advisory Board where he served as chairman 
of the Committee on National Historic Landmarks.
  As you can see, Parker Westbrook has a long and distinguished career 
serving his community, Arkansas, and our Nation.
  As the Howard County Democratic Central Committee recognizes Mr. 
Westbrook's service, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation on 
behalf of all Arkansans for his devotion and commitment to public 
service throughout his life.

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