THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 22, 1995 TAG: 9503210010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By THOMAS H. WILLCOX JR.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Excerpts from Mr. Willcox's message at the March 18 Cosmopolitan Club of Norfolk's dinner conferring upon the Norfolk attorney its 1994 First Citizen award for distinguished service in civic affairs. Among the community organizations that have benefited from Mr. Willcox's leadership skills are the Norfolk Citizens Advisory Committee, established to foster better relations between the races; the United Way; the Chrysler Museum; the Chamber of Commerce; and Greater Norfolk Corporation.
Thirty-odd years ago, John F. Kennedy said: ``Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.''
Today, at the federal level, his call seems lost in the din of groups scratching for their individual interest with apparently little regard for the common good.
Fortunately, Norfolk has not yet suffered that fate.
If you look around this room, you see a host of people who have worked hard to successfully propel this city over tremendous obstacles.
And outside this room, there are hundreds of others who have given of their time and talents with the only promised reward being a better city for all residents.
It is this spirit of community that is Norfolk's most precious asset. It is what makes me most proud to be a Norfolk native.
Look at what Norfolk's spirit has accomplished in just a single generation:
I remember the old Army Depot. Now it is the nation's leading port and our gateway to the global economy.
I remember the national embarrassment of having our schools closed and how the people of Norfolk came together to defy the state and regain our schools.
I need not look back very far to remember our crumbling waterfront. Today it is the national model of successful urban renaissance and a testament to Norfolk's public and private leadership.
The progress of just the past two decades is astounding - the Chrysler Museum, the Harrison Opera House, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Harbor Park, Nauticus. They are truly too numerous to list.
And for each of these tangible accomplishments, there is a group of citizens who made it happen - people who took an idea and willed and worked it into being.
It is that breathtaking spirit that truly makes Norfolk great.
It is that spirit that we must nurture and grow, for, as always, Norfolk's greatest challenges and greatest potential lie ahead.
And, as usual, Norfolk's public and private sectors are already making progress (on many of these fronts):
Our new system of elective government can bring important new voices and energy to the public debate, or it can fracture the city into wards squabbling over pieces of the public pie.
However, the newly formalized cooperation between the city and its civic leagues is an important step toward continued unity of purpose.
It appears we have dodged today's bullet in defense downsizing due in part to a powerful regional approach.
But it is clear we must remain unified and committed to presenting Norfolk and the region as the common-sense choice for future consolidation of the armed services.
The expansion of the world economy and contraction of federal largesse require, more than ever, that we bring our region together to meet the future.
As individual cities, we are increasingly small potatoes on the global scene, but as a region we are a powerhouse in economic development, tourism and quality of life. You name it and Hampton Roads has it.
Progress is being made, but prevailing political winds blow new uncertainty into our city and our region.
As the state and federal governments reduce or abandon their commitments, we will have to tackle new issues such as affordable higher education.
Fortunately, we are, once again, able to build on a solid foundation.
The privately funded ``Access'' program offers a college education to those willing to make the effort.
And the city's commitment to the downtown campus of Tidewater Community College assures that higher education will be accessible to every citizen.
Norfolk has many challenges ahead, and I certainly do not have all the answers.
But I know in each challenge lies an opportunity.
With history as a guide, I also know the people of Norfolk and Hampton Roads can find the answers, and the opportunities, if modern times allow their participation.
The portion of our society that can raise a family on a single income is shrinking. With it shrinks the time and energy that this group can volunteer to its community.
Another portion honestly tries to climb out of poverty but runs up against the brick-wall reality of work and children, time and money.
The future of Norfolk is with both these groups, and the majority in between.
Passing Norfolk's bright flame to a broad spectrum of the next generation is the best way, the only way, to assure this city's continued greatness. by CNB