Archive-Name: gov/us/fed/congress/record/2000/oct/06/2000CRE1690A
[Congressional Record: October 6, 2000 (Extensions)]
[Page E1690]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr06oc00-16]                        

                        IN MEMORY OF BETTY BANKS

                                 ______

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 5, 2000

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a beloved citizen of
the Fourth Congressional District and a dear friend, the later Betty
Jean Henderson Banks of Ivanhoe, Texas, who passed away earlier this
year. Betty was a wonderful woman whose kindness and dedication to her
family, friends and community will be long remembered.
  Born in Louisiana to the late Lafayette Victor Henderson and Ida
Butler Starke Henderson, Betty married James Walter Banks in 1938 in
Bonham, Texas. Throughout her years in Bonham, Betty raised a family
and worked tirelessly on behalf of her community. Betty was known by
many of her work at the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham,
where she worked in food service. She also was known throughout Bonham
for her volunteer efforts on numerous causes, for making uniforms for
the Missionettes (Girls Club) to helping find and fight for a liver
transplant for a baby in need. Betty was an integral part of a women's
prayer group that met monthly for a prayer breakfast at the First
National Bank in Bonham, and she was a member of the First Pentecostal
Church of God in Bonham.
  In the local paper, this was written about Betty by Mrs. Paul Keahey:
``Over the years she stood up for truth and honesty at all levels of
society and government and what she believed to be right.'' These
sentiments were echoed by her many friends and fellow citizens who knew
her and loved her.
  Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James V. ``Butch''
Banks and Carol of Baytown; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and
Mike Stockton of Ravenna and Becky and Victor Santiago of West Haven,
Conn.; and a brother, Robert H. Henderson of Colville, Wash.. She is
also survived by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She
was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Walter Banks, who
passed away in 1996; a granddaughter, Amanda Stockton; brother, L.
Victor Henderson, and a sister, Yvonne Henderson.
  Betty was an honest and loyal friend to many and a role model in her
community. We will miss her--but her legacy will live on in the lives
of all those whom she touched with her generosity and kindness. Mr.
Speaker, as we adjourn today, may we do so in memory of this beloved
citizen of Fannin County, Betty Banks.

                          ____________________