Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / Oct. 29, 1964, edition 1 / Page 24
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In World War II Lt Whitener Served His Country Well It was early during the dark days of World War II when Basil Whitener left his bride of only a few weeks, his thriving law practice and the opportunity to hold office for a second term as a Representative in the State Legisla ture to take his place alongside his fellow Americans in battle. Whitener chose to serve in the way he felt was the most important. Not the safest or most comfortable way, nor even the way more beneficial to his future as a civilian public servant, but right in the middle of the enemy in fested waters of the North Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. As an Ensign, Basil White* ner was assigned to the Arm ed Guard Service of the Navy. On his tours of duty in the North African and Italian war centers, he ob served the peoples abroad and wrote letters home that were full of his deep sym pathy for the sufferings and privations being borne by those who lived in the war torn areas. Whitener made it a point not to lose contact with the folks from home who were P—— crossing the same path. Al LT. BASIL Willi.NEB though he sometimes didn’t hear from his family and friends, who had remained in Gaston County for months, he wrote regularly. Like all of our courageous young men, Whitener longed for the day he could come home, and gave himself wholeheartedly to his duty in order to bring that day to pass. Asa Lt (jg) acting as Navy Gunnery Officer of the SS Louisa M. Alcott, Whitener received a Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy, which reads as follows: “The Department has been informed of your outstand ing devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of the United States Armed Guard aboard the USS Louisa M. Alcott dur ing action against enemy aircraft while engaged in convoy operations August 13. 1M3. With the guns completely man ned within a minute after the general alarm was sounded, your Armed Guard opened fire, fore and aft, port and star board, as hostile aircraft converged and covered the entire convoy. “Constantly alert to the enemy’s strategy of coordinat ed attack by high-level bombers attempting to draw your fire torpedo planes came in from the low lying sun to strike at close range, your crew forced the hostile planes to change course and veer away while the guns of the SS Louisa M. Alcott scored numerous direct hits in a concert ed barrage which downed several enemy planes. “For your courageous initiative under fire, and the ex cellent combat discipline of the Armed Guard throughout this action you are hereby commended.” Another job well done, Lieutenant Basil L. Whitener returned home and has since continued to be a fighter, in like manner, for all that he believes is right. He has continued his interest through the years in mili tary affairs, and now holds the rank of Major in the Air Force Reserve. The People Speak f One of the things that has characterized the service of Basil Whitener in the Congress has been the personal attention which he has given to the problems of his constituents. The many expressions of thanks which Whitener has received from the people he has assisted in his district give some idea of the fine service he is rendering to the 10th Congressional District. The people speak, and here are excerpts from some of their letters to Whitener. "Just a note at the beginning of a now year to commend you upon the fine service you render ed the people of North Carolina and the citiaens of the United States as ■ whole in 198S."— “We certainly have admired your ‘policies’ in Congress and shall look forward to giving you full support in the upcoming elec tions.’’—BJSJL • • • •‘I think that you have in this matter exhibited gallantry be yond the normal call of duty, and I am most grateful for your interest and efforts.”—A.TJL • • • “I want to thank you for your efforts in our behalf. 1 know you spent a great deal of time on this bill, with our company and our employees in mind."—J.AJL • • • “Your prompt response proves you ore on the job with immedi ate remedies for what ails those who coll tor remedies. —L.C«G» • • • “Your letter of January 27. 1963 gives us exactly the informa tion we asked for and we ap preciate very much your going to so much trouble to help us with this problem.”—C.D.F. • • • ‘Thank you for your coopera tion in this matter. 1 really do appreciate all you did for us. You «»>eti always be remembered by all of ui."-D.CJ. • • • “Again we want to thank you for your interest and continued efforts on our behalf. We sincere ly appreciate all that you have done for the people of our com munity and vicinity.”—G.F. • • • “Certainly yon have always stood high on my list and my support Is with you.”—AJ.E. • • • T only wanted to thank you for supporting the National Science Foundation and the Sum mer Science Training Program for high-ability secondary school stu dents.”—U. • • • “On behalf of myself and fam ily, I wish to thank you for the most gracious service you render ed us.”— C.R.B. • • • “Your efforts in getting pass ed the one-price cotton in the form of the wheat-cotton bill is greatly appreciated by our indus try. and I wanted to take this method of thanking you personal ly for your efforts and attention." • • • "On behalf of all my family. I would like to thank you and your office staff for the courtesies shown to us on our recent visit to Washington. With such a busy schedule, we appreciate your tak ing time to show us around."— CM. Whitener Served His Fellowinan (Continued from Page 1) •ion Act oi 1«X wore under de bat*). • • • "I want to join my distinguished colleague in the remarks he is making today and conunend him Whitener Record colleagues foel that I can be of further service.” He has served on several special assignments for the District Committee and is chairman of two of ite more im portant subcommittees. Under Whitener's leadership, one of these committees is credited with saving the tax payers several millions of dollars through its investigation of an ill-advised program which was about to get underway in the Nation’s Capi toL DENOUNCES CASTKO Whitener was one of the first Congressmen to urge the use of direct action to curb the lawless antics of Cuba's Fidel Castro. As early as June, 1058. even when a favorable attitude pre vailed among Americans with Castro, Whitener is recorded in the Congressional Record as stating: It has always been my Umwht that |fc|* country should carefully avoid interference with internal affairs of any other sovereign nation. I still adhere to this view, but the situation In Cuba canrtitetas a direct at tack agon the safety and security of the people of ear nation by a hand of outlaws. It should net he tolerated.** Yes, the tall Con grtssmaa treat North Carolina has made Me mark as a leader la Washington. Volumes could he written on hie accomplishments as Con gressman, and the record has With the established repu tation, with eight years of senior ity as a member of Congress and with the vast native ability and enthusiasm that he possesses. It is apparent that the Whitener record of outstanding leadership must continue to serve the people of our district and our nation. The leadership of Congressman Whitener must be recognised in a tangible way in the general election when we go to the polls and give him a resounding vote of confidence. We urge your help without timidity because of our conviction that when we support Congressman Basil L. Whitener we will be supporting our best interest as citisens of a free America. as I have done so often for hia continuing fight in behalf of the textile workers of this Nation. I think all of us who have served wth him here can testify to the fact that he has been unrelenW ing in his demand that we re tain the textile industry in • healthy economic condition.” (Be~ marks of Cuti||i mi in t n Hobart W* Hemphill (D SC) fat the Housedog IMS. duriae debate on textual import equation) • • • “Mr. Speaker. I want to par the gentleman from North Caro lina the highest tribute I know for delivering here this morning an historical paper that calls to the attention of America the great occasion that is taking place mM the State of North Carolina tH this tercentenary cvent.'j^jHeJ^ C. Bonner (D-NC) In the House of Representatives on March 25. 1M3. in connection with the MOth anniversary of the Stale of North Carolina.) • • • "I want to associate myself with the remarks of the able and learned gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Whitener. I am im pies-ed by the clear-cut and pene trative statement he is making, just as I have been impressed with the constructive nature of his services here.” (Remarks of (D-Texas) in the Huso of Rep resentatives on July 10. IMS. due ing debate on RhlUiUHodh oral stales and the people) • e e “I want to commend the gen tleman from North Carolina for his excellent statement concern ing the doctrine of delegated and reserved powers. The gentleman is an eloquent exponent of the states' righto principle which la based on the concept of reserved powers. I am pleased he has called attention to the fact that bankruptcy is a part of the dele gated powers in the Constitution.” of aid Potf (R-Va) fas Representatives on ISSt. during itobah bill) August • e “Mr. Speaker, may I commend the gentleman from North Car olina for bringing to the atten tion of this body this historical event” (Remarks af Congressman Janwa T. Broyhill (R-NC) in the House of Rapreeantaihree on March 28.1M2. in connection with the 280th anniversary of the State of North Carolina) Whitener Sought Justice For All As Solicitor "Basil Whitener's first spech to a jury at the courthouse this week sounded more like a vet eran's smooth plea than a be ginner's attempt.’ This is an opinion expressed by Stewart Atkins on October 27, 1937, in his daily column “Through the Keyhole* ’in the Gastonia Ga zette. Since his law practice began at the age of 22 years in Gastonia, he has continued to be recognis ed as a lawyer ot outstanding ability in the courtroom and us the office. His character has never ben questioned. Upon nis return Irum Military Service in 1945 to his home com munity of Gastonia, tie re-open ed nis taw office. He has maintained an active interest in judicial reform legis ltion, court procedure improve ment and statutory revision. Membership in the American Bar Association, the Judicial Conference ef the 4th Federal Circuit the North Carolina Bar Association. N. C. State Bar. Inc., and the Gaston County Bar As sociation. and the active inter est which he manifests In tUsee professional groups, further tvi dances his broid interest in worthwhile professional pco grvms. He has served on several state '.vide committees of the North Carolina Bar Association. His lei low attorneys in Ga»ton County selected nim as president ot then county associaten in 1J50. They also commended him in a tele gram urging Governor Umstead to appoint Basil Wnitener to the U. S. Senate which appeared in May 14th, 1954, Charlotte News as follows: "... and we urge his appoin ment as nnr fully capable of rep resent, ng the State of North Car olina and all its people. OUTSTANDING “He is an out -tanding Demo crat. possessor ot keen intellect industrious, a gentleman ol sterling ch: racter. capable, con versant wifi national and inter national aft nrs, and ne has over whelming -upport from all ovei Western K >rth Carolina and is known throughout the state as a young it n ot learning, ability unquestioned character, and a loyal Democrat.” From 1946 until 1956, Whitener served as Solicitor of the popu ous 14th District composed ol Mecklenburg and Gaston Coun ties. He brought dignity to thi office which he held and earned the respect of those who saw him at work. Some of the laudatory com mcnts of presiding judges of the Superior Court of North Carolina have been recorded in the news papers of Western North Caro lina. Judge Wilson War lick was quoted in the Charlotte Mews a* saying Whitener did not ~proae cute to the limit cases of mlnoi importance in «kkk then If scant tTidmet. The Solicitor doos not wasto tha court's time and tho county's money unneces sarily.” Judge Frank M. Armstrong made the comment in Gastonia, as reported in the Gastonia Ga zette, as follows: “Not only in this particular case, but in all his work since he became Solicitor, Basil Whitener has exhibited the true qualities and characteristics necessary tor such a Job. He has been faithful, honest, and dili gent, and above all. quick and zealous to represent the State fair and impartial, fearlesa and unequivocal. He has played im^ favorites. He treats all alike, UmI big and little, rich and the pooqB high and low."
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Oct. 29, 1964, edition 1
24
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