[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO DEACON JOHN HENRY WOOTEN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise 
today to pay tribute to Deacon John Henry Wooten, Sr. of Goldsboro, 
North Carolina. Deacon Wooten, an icon in education and service for 
Eastern North Carolina and a man whom I greatly admired, passed away 
this week.
  Madam Speaker, Deacon Wooten's lifelong commitment to education left 
an indelible mark on the people he served. He received both his 
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from North Carolina 
A&T State University, and went on to serve on their Board of Trustees 
from 1993-2001. His work as a science teacher and principal of Dillard 
High School in Goldsboro, and also as an administrator of Goldsboro 
City Schools, enriched the lives of countless young people from the 
County of Wayne. His commitment to service began much earlier, as he 
served bravely in the United States Army during World War II and as a 
reservist until 1949.
  Deacon Wooten's dedication to community service extended well beyond 
education and the military. He served for 12 years on the Wayne County 
Board of Commissioners and was the first African-American chairman of 
that Board. He also served on the Goldsboro Redevelopment Commission, 
the Board of Directors for Wayne Memorial Hospital, the Wayne Health 
Corporation and on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. All of that 
aside, one of his greatest contributions was to the First African 
Missionary Baptist Church of Goldsboro, where he served as a Deacon, 
Sunday School teacher, President of the Laymen's League and as a member 
of the chorus. Deacon Wooten's faithfulness to the church and his 
tireless work for our community spoke volumes of his unselfish 
character.
  Madam Speaker, Deacon Wooten has often been recognized for the many 
accomplishments he achieved over his lifetime. The North Carolina A&T 
State University National Alumni Association recognized him for 
Outstanding Leadership as President in 1988. The Neuse River Council of 
Governments named him Outstanding Commissioner of the Year in 1993. A 
member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, he was twice named their Man of 
the Year and won many other honors throughout his life.
  Madam Speaker, in honor and recognition of Deacon John Henry Wooten's 
diligent service as an educator, legislator and leader, I ask my 
Colleagues to join me in paying a final tribute to this great man.

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