North Carolina Newspapers

g3sil ^ Whitener Works Hard Jo Strengthen Furniture Industry ^ £;srolim produce* furntture than aiqr gtMte In the Union. The of the himiture man- ^^turin* industry in the state iT located in BasU Whitener's District. Ov«r 20,000 of his con stituents are directly em ployed in ftimiture plants. Additiooal thousands are en- wed in losing and other wood inhistries dependent upon the manuCscture of Aimiture. Basil Whitener is aware of the importance of the Aimi- ture industry and of the em ployment oiiportunities it of- to toe people he r^resents in toe Congress. As a Con* Snssman whose record has been characterized by a deter mination to protect the jobs of toe pe^le he represents ironi foreign imports, he has consistoiftly support^ pro- Ponn^ to strengthen the do mestic flimiture industry and to provide more job opportun ities for persons empi^od in tondture plants. One of the principal efforts Basil Whitener has made to keep the wheels of industry humming has been to insure that an adequate sw>piy of hard wood is available for the plants. While all fine hardwoods are bec(Mning scarce, there is a critical shortage of high-grade walnut timber. Walnut is fhst disappearing from the Ameri can scene, particularly by reason of high prices offered for the timber fay mills in Germany, Italy, and other fbmiture manufacturing coun tries abroad. Basil Whitener has urged that controls be placed on the ex port of walnut timber and other hardwoods essential to domes tic furniture manufacturing In calling on the Senate Com merce Committee to take pro tective action on behalf of the furniture industry he said: "I represent one of the largest furniture manufactur ing districts in the Nation. My eonstitueiks are greatly con- comed over the preseirt and ftiture supply ^ It is my earnest hope that the Senate Cwmnerce wUl take action to prt^tt the export of walnut logs until such times as our presert ^ future domestic demand for the timber can be met” Basil Whitener has also re quested the Secretary of Com merce to prohibit the eiqiort of wklnit logs. "We have a great concentration of the ftimiture industry with thous ands of our citizens earning their livelihood in the produc tion of furaitnre,” Whitener said to the Secretary. "It is my hope that you trill bring into play the provisions of the Export Control Act fay grant ing the relief sought by the American Walnut , Mamifac- turers Association Iv imposing an embargo^ on walnut veneer log exports.” The furniture and wood working industries have a strong, dependable friend in Washington. < Basil Whitener is that man. What Editors In Our Have To Say About Whitener CHEBRYVILLE EAGLE June 22,1966 Ihoee of m who have fol lowed Congressman Basil L. Whitener’* record of strong oppoeition to Federal mter- ferenee with the constitution rights of the average American were not sunnised atthe state ments he made in his Flag Dmr speech at Statesville on June 12. In his Statesville ap pearance he sharply condemned the extension of Federal control over the 'daily lives of the American people. Whitener has consistently supported constitutional gov ernment and the free enter- . prise system during his serv- ^ ice in the Congress. InStates- viUe he reaffirmed his dedica tion to the ftmdamental prin ciples so essential to the success of the American system. * * * SPINDALESUN Sept. 29, 1966 f . Congressman Basil Whitener is completing 10 years of out standing service to this eouaty and others in his district. This year marks at least a temporary end to an era; for ^ Rutherford county, in die re districting. was taken out of Whitener's district. Coming from Gaston county, Congressman Whitener knows and understands the problems of die textile industry as well as other developments and issues, peculiar to this im mediate section. He has rqnresented his dis trict with pride and influence, based on Imowledge and under standing, foi^ the past 10 years. Like odiers, we wanttoeiqpress our thanks for a Job well done. HICKORY DAILY RECORD SMit 30,1966 congressman Basil L. Whitmer, of the Tenth North Cartdina District, is mititled to high praise for having taken prompt issue with Coag^ Thomas Curtis, of Missouri, who is urgingtoatimportquotas covering foreign textiles, be lifted. The Missouri Represmta- tive in a one hour speech ad dressed to members of the House, advocated that the long term arrangement fay eightem textile-producing nations be abandoned, in die interest of free world trade, tin his reply. Congressman Whitener asserted that "If die gentleman from Missouri were to have his way. West Virginia would look like an economic paradise compared to die area of N<nth Carolina that I r^ resent after four or five years of the so-called Curds phil- losophy.” • • • KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD March 31,1966 The Herald and other news papers would have done well perhaps to (unit a paragraph in a recent Republican 10th district news release in which it was said the three GOP aspirants for the dubious dis- dnction of losing to Congress man Basil L. whitener agreed: 0 Mr. Whitener is a rubber stamp congressman and 2) Mr. Whitener is the choice of party bosses. On canard 1. the House of Representatives tally clerk has recorded Mr. Whitener’s vote on as many issues as any member of the body during toe nearly tw years he has serveii^ with many against administra- don pnvosals. "The Presi dent wouldn’t agree,” Mr. The Whitener Sentinel Published in the interest of the re-election of Basil L. Whitener to Congress Publishers Friends Of Whitens ..... John Brodc The poUcy of THE WHITENER SENTINEL is to give voters in our District a true picture of the outstanding job Congressman. Whitener has done for the people of our District, our State, and our Nation, and to urge the re-election of this distin guished American to Congress. IVhitener commented. On canard 2, Mr. white ner must laugh, since everyone knows if s a free country and atyone and everyone wanting to pay the $300 filing fee and add a "lY* beside his name would have appeared on the baUot against him in the May ' Democratic primary. He can grt a second and better laugh from the Republicans waxing iKdier-than-toou at this, only their second primary contest for Congress in many years. Tlie Republiean party is quite wise in cootriviiw a primaiy at any and all levels, prelude to greater voting strength in the genend elecdon. As an aside, such statements refund that Bill Cobb, of Mor- ganton, the onetime GOP chair man, is teck in harness, as (fistrict chairman. There is always partisan am- munitioo aplenty in fighting moot issues, and Mr. Whitener is on the record. Chairman Cobl/s speech here during the '60 campaign, except for being longer, was of the same strideiit, careless-with tocts stripe. * * * fflCKORY DAILY RECORD May 9,1966 We’ll hazard a guess that voters of Iredell county, who are just beginning to get ac quainted ^th Congressman Basil Whitener (whose district has been revamped to include that county) were favorably im pressed with the views he ex pressed last week. The Tenth District Con gressman, appearing before the Kiwanis club of Statesville in observance of Law Day, vig orously denounced those who would escliew legal machinery in solving issues - and instead, demonstrate and conduct sit- ins. Mr. Whitener condemned these tactics and other forms of civil disobedience as prac tices that "can only bring chaos, conftision and the ul timate destruction of the rights ot everyone.” We are sure that most sen sible people agree to the ex tent that such statements may appear trite-but judging from the advocacy of these policies fay s<mie racial leaders, there are those friio disagree. The observance of law-and court decrees-is file only hope minority groups have in im proving their status, other than the go^ conscience of the pii>- lic. What Colleagues Say WHAT CONGRESSMAN WHITENER'S COLLEAGUES THINK ABOUT HIM AND HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE; "I have known Basil since he first came to the House to 1957. in these 10 years, Basil has become widely recognized as one of the outstanding constitutional lawyers in the House. <qn addition, Basil has the enviable reputation of being one of the ablest, most conscientious, and hardworking men m Congress.” .oama —REP. GEORGE ANDREWS, AL^A^ "in his long illustrious record of service in the U.s. con gress he has demonstrated to his colleagues aw tohis c<^ stituents an outstanding quality ot good citizenship, ho ts a conscientious legislator, extremely reliable The words of the poet who described Lincoln ^ ,, vet, yet hard as steel” comes to mind as l contemplate Basi Whitener’s attributes as a legislator. "I have had the opportunity to ‘>‘^®*'^® work of many Congressmen from all during the seven terms that I have been in the U.S, CongrMS, I have seen maiv able and patriotic men come and go, but i want you to kno^ that I have sTGSs in &11 mv 'Vcmrs her® who h&s boon mor® ®D®r£®tiCp inor® Kl or »ho hM ^ effectively or in greater measure to the we^re of the Natitm as a wh^e and to the progress and prosperity of our country." —REP. WALTER S. BARING, NEVADA "He is one of the hardest working and most respected members of the House, and always commands attention when he speaks on aiv subjTOt. ^ gentleman and a student of anvAi-nmpnt who is Constantly constructive in his service.” government, who EDMONDSON. OKLAHOMA «As the ranking member of the Judiciary committee of the of Representatives, I have worked closely with Congress- Jrun Whitener over the past ten years and regard him'as an /outstanding, dedicated and very sble member of Congress. Above all else, he is a man ot character and high principle with complete devotion to the best interests (tf his constituents and to the welfare and security of our Nation. He enjoys the resoect and esteem of his colleagues in Congress where he has disti^ished himself fay intelligent and forthright leadership.” — REP. MICHAEL A, FEIGHAN, OHIO "Basil is unquestionably one of the leaders in the Congress. There are few people who have come here during the years I have been here who have grown in the esteem of their colleagues on both sides ot the aisle as has Basil Whitener. He is what we term here a "working Congressman.” Unfortunately, there are quite a few who don’t deserve that description.” ^ "I have found him to be so thorou^ in the work that he does that when a bill comes from either of his committees, I dtxi’t go any filler than to ask him what his views are on it and follow his leadership. There are not many people in the Congress that I can say this about.” —REP. A, SYia^EY HERLONG, JR. FLORIDA "Cbngressman Whitener is one of the abiestandmost dedicated Members of the Congress of the United States, and a Member who is thoroughly conversant with pending legislation, and who represents the people ot his district with great ability, courage, and distinction. - "He is one of the best versed Members of the House of Rep resentatives on the Rules of the House and on parliamentary procedure, devoting himself entirely to his Committee work and to the consideration of Bills on the floor of the House of Representatives. He is very hi^ly respedted fay his colleagues. Congressman Whitener enjoys my deep friendship, as well as my respect and admiration.” —REP. JOHN M. MCCORMACK, MASSACHUSETTS "I am winding up my eii^fii year in the Congress and have known Mr. Whitener very intimately, both personally and of ficially, during those eight years. I can say without any reser vation that Congressman Whitener has one of the finest legal minds in the Congress. He is a real leader on the Judiciary Committee and has time and time again made important con tributions during consideration of legislation, not only in his Committee, but on the House Floor. "Congressmen Whitener is a Congressman who works at his position; he understands people and, above all, he under stands our Government. He is a man who expresses restraint and responsibility.” —REP. THOMAS G. MORRIS, NEW MEXICO "No Member of Congress is more highly regarded than my close friend Basil Whitener. His courageous, learned and level-headed participation in toe Civil Rights debate on the side of the defenders of Constitutional Law earned for him the respect of all.” —REP. MASTON O'NEAL, GEORGIA "I would also like to say one further thing — that always on the Floor of the House he conducts himself in the manner of a great gentleman. It is always my feeling, after he has con cluded his remarks, that he has contributed good will, an in telligent approach, and the grace of good manners. On two specific occasions when the temper of the House was charged with anger. Congressman Whitener rose, and with his gracious courtesy, changed the entire mood in the tradition of a great Congressman and certainly reflecting (me of North Carolina's magnificent contributions to democracy.” —REP. JULU BUTLER HANSEN, WASHINGTON "He has rightfully earned a reputation as a stateananof unimpeachable integrity and a lawmaker of rare skill and ability. Above all, he has been an outspoken champion of constitutional principles and fiscal responsibility in governnient. Hie mag nificent fight he has waged on behalf ot States' Ri^ts in opposing the arbitrary attempts ot the Federal government to unsurp from the States unwarranted authority has established him as one of the truly great pfiblic officials in the nation today. Indeed, every parent in America owes him a real debt of gratitude for toe courageous dedication to principle he has displayed in exposing toe ill-conceived attempts ot toe U.S. Office ot Educa tion to encroach iqion the rights ot State and local schoed of ficials. —REP. JOHN BELL WILLIAMS, MISSISSIPFI "I, as a colleague, have been particularly impressed by his efforts to protect toe textile and furniture industries in North Carolina and his district, and his continued and stalwart de fense of Constitutional principles. —REP. CLAIR A. CALLAN, NEBRASKA l^ep. Whitener Speaks Up For The People Excerpts from leches of Basil L. Whitener in toe House of Representatives during 1966. January 2,1966 "Mr. I am very much concerned over toe pro posed reduction in funds in toe 1967 Budget for the Na tional School Lunch Program, particulftrly in funds for the purchase of milk for school lunches. In North Carolina more than 900,000 children each day re ceive nutritious but Inexpensive lunches through the School Lunch Program. I have always supported toe program as I have felt that it has been one of toe most effective means of improving the health of our country." February 7, 1966 "Mr. Speaker, I commend the Chairman of the House Vet erans Affairs Committee inj bringing to the rloor of the House for early action H.R. 12410. I strongly support toe enactment ot this bill to grant educational and other benefits to the young men and women who have served in the armed forces of toe United States since January 31, 1955. The assistance they will re- ^ ceive under this bill will enable r all of them to be better pre- I pared and more productive j citizens of tomorrow. I urge ' my colleagues to su]»>ort H.R. 12410." *****««««4i*4[* i February 22, 1966 "Mr. Speaker, during my service in toe Congress I have j been greatly interested in transportation and its impact upon toe economy and national I security of toe United States. As toe representative of a highly industrialized district I have been particularly con cerned over toe problems ex isting in connection with rail and highway freight transporta tion. Hie severe shortage of boxcars in toe country is causing undue hardship on the shippers and manufacturers in my Congressicxial DistricL I am hopeful that toe appro priate cmnmittees ot Congress will look into this matter and report legislation that will bring relief to toe railroads, the manifticturers, and, above all, to toe average American whose security and economic well-being is vitally affected.” March 9, 1966 "Mr. Speaker, all toe Na tion is troubled over toe crime problem and its effect upon society. 1 know that our col leagues join me in our concern at the alarming crime statis tics which were recently re ported. 1 am sure that they are equally concerned about toe social losses to our Nation represented in toe lives of numerous individuals who have taken to crime and drug addle, tion.” March 16, 1966 "Mr. Speaker, the Nati^wl Defense Education Act has been helj^ul to thousands of college students in America. The way and manner in which it has been administered through toe procedure of permitting the in dividual college to detennine its policies has been desirable. To change this policy abruptly would in my judgment bring hardship upon many worthy students. As one who found it necessary to borrow money in order to attend col lege and law school, i can appreciate the value to the in dividual student of the availability of loan funds." 411$ 4i 4c * « $14i ty ty $1 4i August 5, 1966 "Mr. Speaker, the recent tragedy in Austin, Texas, has revived toe demand for the pas sage of legislation to restrict the sale and possession erffire- arms by the American people. I feel that every effort should be made, of course, to keep firearms out of toe possession of criminals and the mentally deranged. The problem will not be solved, however, by toe passage of hastily and ill-con ceived legislation which would seriously restrict toe constitu tional right of millions of law- abiding Americans to purchase and keep firearms. Firearms legislation must not be approved in an atmosphere of emotion.” « 4t 4[ 4t 4t 4( 4i * 4> * * * * * February 16, 1966 (in support of establishment ot Cape Lookout (N.C.) National Seashore) "Mr. Speaker, 1 look for ward not just to having 16 mil lion people visit our National Parks in North Carolina in toe future, as we had in 1965, but I would rather suspect that with this addition to our fine park system we can expect many more millions ofpeopletocome to Variety Vacationland.” 0000000000*0000 August 10,1966 "Mr. Speaker, I share toe concern iriiich has been ex pressed by many members of Congress over certain state ments that have been made recently by Commissioner of Education Howard Howe, H. I have always felt that massive Federal aid to education would result in destroying local con- tr(4 and administration of pidilic education in toe United States. Commissioner Howe's recent statements on toe role of the Federal Government ir education convinced me toai my position has faeen correcL" Congressman Basil Whitener — Continued from Page 1 Inc., in rec<«nition ot his per fect record in support of economy in government (^ra tions. On 10 key economy votes listed by toe NAB Whitener scored 100 per cent. The Patriotic Order Sons of America, the oldest of toe na tion’s native patriotic socier ties, ctMiferred upon BasU Whitener the Order's Merit Me^Uion award fills year in recognition of toe Congress man’s strcmg support of states’ ri|d>ts and ctmstitutioiial prin ciples of governmenL Basil Whitener has spon sored and supported legisla tion to increase social security benefits and to make it easier for the disabled to, quality for disability under the’ social security program. He has urged toe House Ways and Means Committee to con sider legislation to grant tax credits for widows and single persons acting as heads of household. He has also called for tax reli^ for persons with heavy educational eiqienses and for a more equitable distribu tion of toe Federal tax load in generaU In many other ways Basil Whitener has demon strated through his voting record in toe Congress his sincere concern for the wel fare of toe people he repre sents. He has one of toe best at tendance records ot any mem ber of the Congress. Basil , Whitener has not hesitated to stand up for the people he represents and be counted. J# 1/ 'THE WHITENER FAMILY — Pic tured above is Cor^essman White ner’s family, who bring much joy Shinto the life of our Congressman and all who know them.; lliey are exem- A Typical Anwrican Family plary of the fine heritage of the Christian houaehold. Lrft to ri^t is Morgan, 21, Laura Lee, 16, Congress man Whitener, Mrs. Whitener, Bar rett, 6, and Ba^ Jr., 14 Let's Meet The Whitener Family Harriet Morgan cametoG^- tonia 25 years ago to teach at toe high school. | Fresh out of college, she;had left her parents. Dr. and Mrs. J.S. Morgan, in Union, ac., to pursue a career as an Rija- lish teacher at Gastonia High School. As fate would have it, she met a young attorney oi^ the first day she arrived in Qas- t(Hila. His name? Basil Whiteie; Little did pretty H^riet Morgan know it at toe time but this tall, handsome manjiras soon to become her husband. The war, as it did in n^any other cases, perhaps hurri^ matters along because in 1942 Basil Whitener and Harriet Morgan were married. , He left soon thereafter for serv ice in the United States Nfvy. An ordinary woman perhaps might have found it difficult to keep pace with a husland on toe go — on the w^ up. But Harriet was no ordmaiy womaa She was toe wire of Basil Whitener, sharing'his successes, his failures,; his inner-most thoughts. She launched immediately in to ewnmunity and church ac tivities while building a strong and loving ftunlly-life for her self and her husband. . They were blessed withifour lovelv children. Morgan, the oldest, is now 21, Basils Jr., is 14, and Laura Lee i^ 16, The toby is Barrett, six. ^ Because (d his early ilove and devotion to his family, and through« the Influence of his Christian motoer, Basil! fell naturally into family lira as a devoted fkther and respon sible breadwinner. I While his family is his pride and joy, he counts numerous kinfolk in toe lOto Con gressional District. If you’re an Abernathy, a Brackett, Bland, Blantott, or Barrett, chances are you are related to Basil Whitener. The same goes for fedks with the namep ot Davis, Currence, Ervin, Francis, Gardner, Hol land, Holmes, Jenkins, Leon- hardt, Lee, Peters, Patterson, Pyron, and Peeler. If you’re a Rich. Roberts. Robinson, Smith, Stone, Strange, Wallace, Walker, or Warlick, chances are you can find Basil Whitener some where in your family tree, also. And, there are others con nected with Representative Whitener either fay blood or marriage. Otoero, who can’t claim kinship, count it a privilege to claim friendship with Whitener. Thaf s the way he has almys wanted it. His friends run literally into the thousands. Some run twis ters in textile mills, others are bank executives, school teachers, clerks, factory workers, domestic workers, doctors, civic leaders, religious leaders, etc. Above all, Basil Whitener has a real kinship with all the men and women of his district who believe in the com mon opportunity to work and be paid a fair wage for their labors. He is close to all who edu cate their children in whole some surroundings under good government and in a religious atmosphere. > These are important at tributes in a day and time when foreign ideologies seek grad ually to aKroach upon the American way of life and to sap America and its people of their vigor. Basil Whitener has shown his willingness to stand up and be counted — and to fight for what he believes to be right. He was a sailor during World War n. He’s now a major in the Air Force Reserve. He has been to Viet Nam. He has fou^ toe cause of a freedCHn in the halls of Con gress for every American bqy on the fitting front. He has fought toe battle ct excessive textile imports to protect toe jobs of textile workers. These are matters important to the family and Basil Whitener believes toe family is the foun dation of America’s strength. Congress and the people have needed him perhaps more than he has needed them. But he was born to serve and serve he has and will con tinue to do if rrturned to finish the job in Washington. Young Basil Whitener Inspired By His Mother The childhood of Basil Whitener was shortlived, for he assumed the responsibility of “A Man of the Family” at the age of seven. While other boys his age were playing at games, he was at work assisting his widowed mother. There were two other children in the family, his brother, Lester, and his sister, Inez. ~ , Bom of humble financial cir- good father and husband. He eumstances, Whitener was al- 's * devoted family man. ways aware of the necessity for ♦/, a family to ‘pull together.” at first, for the mere survival of nrst, JOr me mere survival ui -- — -— a fatherless household, then later help^ otoers as well — despite Jb order to get an education, i. His mother instilled in Basil good religious foundation, and great odds. In a great country where a made it possible for her son to Although the duties of a busy congressman are demanding, Basil recognizes the responsibili ty and the privilege of being a man can raise his family accord ing to his own standards, we look at them as representative of the man himself. Here is an Ameri can FamUy of which any man can be proud!