G. K. Butterfield: “Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a friend, the late Elmer V. Wilkins, who was an outstanding educator, mayor…”

“Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a friend, the late Elmer V. Wilkins, who was an outstanding educator, mayor, councilman, State board of education member, and a lifelong North Carolinian. In North Carolina, we remember E.V. as one with a strong philosophy of tolerance and civic responsibility and educational achievement. Because of his public service, I introduced this bill to name the United States Post Office located in Roper, North Carolina, as the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.'' Thanks to the overwhelming support of the entire North Carolina delegation... Elmer Vanray, ``E.V.,'' Wilkins was born on Independence Day of 1911, and to many who knew him, this was no coincidence. He was a staunch defender of constitutional rights and would become a well-known voice for civil rights and voting rights for every citizen.”