[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27504-27505]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF MR. PAUL C. WHITE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Paul 
C. White of Fresno, California. He is survived by his beloved wife of 
38 years Sheila White, their six children: Paul II, Crystal, LaShelly, 
JePahl, Brandon, and Bryson, and his five grandchildren; Paul III, 
Asia, Kennedy, Darion, and Jaylin.
  As a past Assistant Executive Director for the Fresno County Economic 
Opportunities Commission, Paul is remembered by all who knew him for 
his commendable service to the community, his love for his family and 
his commitment to advance and strengthen the health care and social 
issues that impact impoverished people so often overlooked. Paul was 
unwilling to look the other way, and it is for his unrelenting efforts 
that we celebrate his life.
  Mr. White learned from personal experience what certain sacrifices 
economically disadvantaged people are forced to make. He was born in 
Oklahoma City in 1947 as one of six children, raised by their mother in 
a house without running water or electricity. Paul's mother passed on 
when he was 11 and his grandparents raised all six children in Fresno.
  Not to be overcome by tragedy, Paul graduated from Edison High School 
in 1962 as a

[[Page 27505]]

star basketball player and school leader. He immediately began his 
college career at Fresno City College, where he received his Associate 
in Arts degree in 1968. Dedicated to being better equipped in life, 
Paul furthered his education at California State University, Fresno 
where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and his 
Masters in Public Administration.
  Paul always made sure everyone around him appreciated the many 
wonders life had to offer. In January of 1983, Paul had complete kidney 
failure. In 1986 his then 14-year-old daughter LaShelly had complete 
kidney failure as well. That same year, both Paul and LaShelly received 
a kidney transplant from the same donor. To think of the generosity of 
strangers during their time of loss, was very humbling to the family. 
Paul and his loved ones endured incredible health hardships, which 
allowed for his appreciation of life to grow and be passed on to the 
many lives he touched. Paul's family triumphed over dialysis as well as 
kidney transplants making their ties even stronger with each other.
  Mr. White has served the Fresno community for over 30 years. His 
record of community service is quite long and includes membership in 
many different organizations. He was a member of the United Network for 
Organ Sharing, Minority Affairs Committee, California Donor Transplant 
Network, California Department of Health Services and Leadership 
Committee for the Black Infant Health Project. Paul was on the Board of 
Directors for West Fresno Health Care Coalition, Inc, the Marjaree 
Mason Center and the Boy Scouts of America.
  His contributions have not gone unnoticed; some of his most notable 
awards include the Fresno Metro Ministry Award for ``Living Out the 
Values of Justice in our Community,'' State of California Lieutenant 
Governor Cruz M. Bustamante, ``Commendation,'' California State Senate 
and Assembly ``Certificate of Recognition,'' California Transplant 
Donor Network ``Excellence Award,'' and United Black Men of Fresno 
``President's Award'' and ``Certificate of Appreciation.''
  It goes without saying that Mr. Paul White was a positive influence 
in this community. His commitment to help those in need will forever 
live on in the lives of the people he so graciously touched.

                          ____________________