[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15101]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PEGGY WHITWORTH

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, today I would like to express my 
deep appreciation to Peggy Whitworth, executive director of Iowa's only 
national trust property, Brucemore. Brucemore, located in Cedar Rapids, 
IA, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Peggy has been Brucemore's 
only executive director during that quarter century. During this time, 
her leadership, creativity, and ``can-do'' attitude have made Brucemore 
a model nonprofit organization and an eastern Iowa landmark.
  This past December, Peggy was awarded the National Trust President's 
Award for her years of dedicated service to Brucemore, as well as for 
her advocacy of preservation. I would like to add my voice to those 
honoring Peggy and her work. She is respected not just in Iowa but 
across the country as a champion for preservation and the promotion of 
cultural attractions. Her labors on behalf of historical preservation 
have helped inspire people in other communities to preserve and honor 
the important architectural, cultural and historic contributions from 
our past.
  Twenty five years ago, when Brucemore was bequeathed to the National 
Trust for Historic Preservation, the idea was to use the mansion for 
community meetings and activities. That limited perspective did not 
last long. Under Peggy's leadership, Brucemore has come to offer a full 
schedule of events, including Bluesmore, Classics at Brucemore, Cabaret 
in the Courtyard, as well as tours of the mansion which draw nearly 
30,000 people annually.
  Peggy has also been active in promoting culture and tourism 
attractions as an economic development tool. In addition to her work at 
Brucemore, Peggy has served five terms on the Iowa State Historical 
Society board, including chairing the board. She serves on the Terrace 
Hill Foundation. And she was recently appointed to the Board of 
Pharmacy Examiners by Iowa Governor Chet Culver.
  Peggy Whitworth is planning to retire later this year. Her leadership 
and vision will be greatly missed. And we are deeply grateful for her 
many contributions to the cultural richness of Iowa.

                          ____________________