[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 292-293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING RICHARD HENRY ``DICK'' WHITE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, as we begin our work in the new 
year, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the passing of a good 
friend of mine. Richard Henry ``Dick'' White, Jr., a fixture in 
Washington for four decades, lost his fight against cancer on December 
21, and his death took a whole lot of sunshine from the world.
  Like many who came to Washington, Dick White expected to stay in 
Washington for a very short period of time. A 1955 journalism graduate 
of the University of Oklahoma, Dick arrived here in 1965 as a 
correspondent for the Tulsa Tribune. But rather than return home, he 
moved to public service, and that work caused him to become a 
congressional staff member over the next 14 years. He was the top 
staffer for Ed Edmonson of Oklahoma and Dale Milford of Texas.
  He left the Hill in the late 1970s to serve as Washington 
representative on a number of farm-related issues. He later served as 
the vice president for the Tobacco Institute, and most recently 
maintained a small public affairs consulting business.
  Mr. Speaker, it has regrettably become vogue in politics to suggest 
that lobbying, that is, representing the American people in Washington, 
is less than an honorable profession. Well, anyone who knew Dick White 
would strongly disagree. He represented his clients, small businesses, 
tens of thousands of farmers, hundreds of thousands of workers, with 
integrity, humanity and a wealth of knowledge. His service helped 
thousands of Americans be treated fairly when Congress considered 
policy changes that would affect their livelihoods.
  I came to know Dick White as a friend after his marriage in 1991 to 
one of my senior staff members, Letitia Hoadley. To say this pair was a 
devoted couple is putting it mildly. For the past 15 years they have 
been inseparable and tenderly have cared for each other through good 
times and bad.
  Dick White was always welcome in my office as a member of our 
extended staff family. But his optimism and good humor made him welcome 
anywhere he went. He always added a bit of sunshine on any visit, and 
left everyone feeling more positive towards the day.
  Beyond his public affairs interests, Dick was an avid follower of 
college sports, including Oklahoma football. He loved to travel, 
especially to the Caribbean. But his greatest joy was to spend time at 
his weekend cottage in Southern Maryland where he enjoyed boating, 
gardening and swimming. He loved to entertain. He would revel in a 
swimming pool full of kids. He was a great listener, and was considered 
a great grandpa by every boy and girl who was lucky enough to spend 
time with him.

[[Page 293]]

  Even as Dick battled cancer in the last few years, he maintained his 
positive nature, hearty laugh, infectious smile, always a part of 
Dick's life. In his last summer he purchased a small boat, hired an 
instructor, and provided a sailing school for neighborhood kids.
  Dick White is survived by his loving wife Letitia and her family; his 
daughter, Ann Calvert Brown; son-in-law Stephen Brown; and 
grandchildren Suzanne Noel Brown and Daniel Calvert Brown. He is also 
survived by siblings, Miles White of San Antonio, Texas; Elizabeth 
White George of Belfair, Washington; and Robert White of Oklahoma City, 
Oklahoma, as well as their families, including numerous nieces, nephews 
and their children.
  Mr. Speaker, Dick White, a man of all seasons, gave all who knew him 
a reason to believe in the value of friendship as we go forward in 
life. He would have told us not to mourn his passing, but rather to 
celebrate the life he lived in his time with us. In that spirit, I ask 
my colleagues to join me in remembering a wonderful husband, father and 
friend to all and to express our warmest good will to his family.

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