[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MR. WILLIAM HENRY ``BABE'' WOOLARD ON THE OCCASION OF 
                           HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to send warm regards to 
Mr. William Henry ``Babe'' Woolard who celebrated his 90th birthday on 
February 29, 2012. Babe is in the very unique position of being born 
during a Leap Year and on Leap Day. In fact, he celebrates his birthday 
only every four years so he has only experienced 23 actual birthdays.
  Babe was born to Mr. Henderson and Ms. Ida Woolard on February 29, 
1922 in Williamston, North Carolina and is one of six children. Like 
many in eastern North Carolina, Babe went in to farming and was a 
farmer for the Lilley Families in the Lilley's Quarter section of 
Williamston. Later, he inherited the Woolard family farm located in the 
Farm Life Community of Williamston and Babe and his son Willie continue 
to farm the land today.
  Like many Americans of his generation, Babe was called to serve his 
country during World War I. He bravely defended the United States and 
its allies against the tyranny perpetrated by the Axis of Evil by 
serving in the U.S. Army with the all Black 3,685th Trucking Division. 
I commend him for his bravery and thank him for his selfless service to 
this great country.
  When he returned from his service in Europe with the U.S. Army, Babe 
married Ms. Verna Mae Brown. The two reared seven children together--
Hattie, Verna, Dianne, Mary, Doris, Angela, and Willie--and they 
settled back in Babe's hometown of Williamston. Babe and Verna Mae were 
married for 70 wonderful years filled with love, caring, and compassion 
until she passed away on June 20, 2011.
  Babe is many things, but above all else he is a man of God. He has 
attended Cedar Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Williamston most of 
his life. The fellowship and community provided by his church has 
sustained Babe through the highs and lows of life. I admire his faith.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. 
William Henry Woolard on his 90th birthday--or his 23rd birthday. No 
matter how you add it up, Babe has always lived his life to the 
fullest. May he celebrate this and many more birthdays in the future.

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