[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 11, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF MR. PAUL VOERTMAN

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 2017

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Paul Voertman, 
the former owner of the iconic Voertman's Bookstore on Fry Street in 
Denton, Texas. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Voertman also 
was a patron of the arts, a humanitarian, and a philanthropist.
  Mr. Voertman grew up near the University of North Texas and attended 
the UNT Demonstration School from kindergarten through twelfth grade. 
He received his undergraduate degree in economics at the University of 
Texas at Austin. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force. While 
on active duty in Germany, his father passed away and he returned to 
Denton to take over his father's general store. Over time, Voertman 
transformed the store into a well-known cultural landmark renowned for 
its high-quality wares, reasonable prices, and excellent customer 
service. Countless students at UNT and Texas Woman's University 
purchased their textbooks, spirit wear, and more at Voertman's.
  Mr. Voertman generously contributed to the arts for more than 60 
years and was one of UNT's most generous benefactors. In Denton, he 
sponsored prizes for Texas art organizations, commissioned locally-
produced art works, and established juried art competitions at UNT and 
TWU, which still continue today. The Voertman-Ardoin Memorial 
Scholarship assists first-generation college students at UNT, and the 
Ardoin-Voertman Endowment Fund supports the College of Visual Arts and 
Design, the College of Music, and the College of Liberal Arts and 
Social Sciences.
  Mr. Voertman also gave significant financial backing to TWU's 
Chancellor's Circle, scholarships, and athletics. He was a patron of 
community organizations, including the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Children's Horne, the Monsignor King Homeless Outreach Center, and the 
Denton Community Health Clinic.
  I would like to express my sincere condolences to Mr. Voertman's 
family and friends. He will be remembered for his business acumen, 
cultural contributions, and selfless generosity to the Denton community

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