[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO WILMA JINKS

Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, it is with the greatest pleasure that 
I rise today to honor Wilma Jinks, of Piggott, AR, who is celebrating 
her 100th birthday.
  Wilma grew up on a farm north of Piggott, AR. Her rural location 
required her to walk 2 miles for school daily, an incomprehensible feat 
in the modern age of transportation, but to Wilma, it was something you 
just had to do. As you will see, this approach to life would serve 
Wilma well in later years. Following her graduation from Piggott High 
School in 1930, Wilma went on to serve as deputy county clerk. In this 
capacity, Wilma and her colleague, Ruth Ballard, would make town 
history when they issued 101 marriage licenses in one day, leaving some 
to joke that Piggott should change its name to ``Marrying Town''. It 
was not long after that Wilma would join those 101 newlyweds. In 1935, 
she would meet her future husband, Harold, while working as a secretary 
in his brother's office. They would remain devoted to each other until 
his death in 1995.
  In 1962, President Kennedy appointed Harold as director of the 
Postmasters and Rural Appointments Division of the United States Post 
Office, and in April of the same year, Harold and Wilma moved to 
Washington, D.C. While in the District, the Jinks enjoyed the same 
social circles as the Nation's leaders, and routinely attended the same 
events as President Kennedy and President Johnson. Yet, Wilma and 
Harold still missed Arkansas. After four years of rubbing elbows on the 
national stage, they moved back to Piggott in April of 1966 and 
partnered with former Arkansas Governor Orvil Faubus in purchasing 
Piggott's newspaper, The Piggott Banner in 1967.
  Even after Harold's retirement, there was no slowing down ``Team 
Jinks''. Wilma and Harold's can do attitude was infectious throughout 
the State, earning the friendship of every major officeholder in 
Arkansas, as well as two of our Nation's great leaders, President 
Carter and President Clinton. Senator Dale Bumpers said of Harold ``if 
the term yellow-dog' were in the dictionary, Harold Jinks would be 
listed as the definition.'' Harold went on to form several grassroots 
organizations in Arkansas and served as chairman of the Arkansas Joint 
Legislative Committee of the National Retired Teachers Association and 
AARP. Wilma was proudly by his side for every step.
  Mr. President, Wilma Jinks truly is one of Arkansas's gems and we are 
blessed to have her. I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
congratulating Wilma Jinks as she and her family celebrates her 100th 
birthday.

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