THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210051
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
BILL WHITEHURST, who first appeared on TV locally 34 years ago and later used the medium to win nine terms in Congress, hosts a forum about regionalism tonight on WHRO and pops up on The History Channel May 26.
At 71, he's still got it.
G. William Whitehurst is perfectly at ease when the camera's red light blinks on. Always has been. ``If you've learned the technique, and have the experience, doing television is a piece of cake,'' said Whitehurst.
``It got me elected to Congress.''
Are you listening, Bob Dole?
Tonight at 9 on WHRO, Whitehurst moderates Channel 15's second forum on shaping an identity for this region that will help Southeastern Virginia prosper in the 21st century. ``Hampton Roads: What's In It For Me?'' will be seen again Sunday at 4 p.m.
That's the day when Whitehurst helps carry the image of Hampton Roads to other corners of the country as he appears on The History Channel at 8 a.m., delivering a lecture called ``Kings of the Hill - A History of Speakers of the House of Representatives.''
It's a nice little boost for Old Dominion University, where Whitehurst is the Kaufman Lecturer in Public Affairs. This lecture was taped on campus about a year and a half ago with ODU students taking part.
``It's been a while getting on the air,'' said Whitehurst. ``But we've finally put ODU out there.''
The History Channel invited Whitehurst to tape a second lecture - this one on Thomas B. Reed, who was the House Speaker a century ago - and it wouldn't surprise folks at ODU if The History Channel gave Whitehurst a series of his own. What about that?
``If it happens, that's fine,'' said Whitehurst. ``If it doesn't, that's fine, too. I'm 71 years of age, a happy camper living a great life with no heavy lifting and nobody squeezing.''
Come November, Whitehurst will be WVEC's commentator on the national elections. The voice of experience. ``When I think of how long ago it's been since the late Harold Soldinger asked me to do television for what was then WTAR, Channel 3, I feel like an antique.''
Those brief appearances - a college professor making history go down easily - introduced Whitehurst to voters of the 2nd Congressional District. When it was time to run for that seat, the voters knew his name and face. TV helped get him a national office.
And it helped to keep him there for 18 years. While others in Congress struggled to look and sound good in TV - ``Some of the old dogs never adjusted,'' said Whitehurst - the Congressman from the classroom in Norfolk practically lived in the House TV and radio room.
``The facilities are there for Congressmen and Senators to manufacture their own publicity,'' Whitehurst said. And nobody did it better than Bill Whitehurst, a nice-looking, cordial Virginian who appears not to be lecturing, even when he is. With TV his ally, the man could have been in Congress until his 90s.
But he chose to come home to ODU and live life at an easier pace. He volunteers for the WHRO ``Hampton Roads: What's In It For Me?'' series because Whitehurst wants to advance this message: ``People must bury their own interests, their provincialism, for the sake of mutual prosperity.''
Tonight's panel includes Art Collins, executive director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission; Bud Denton, executive director of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council; Dennis Ackerman, ODU Entrepreneurial Center; Jack Davis, publisher of The Daily Press; Bruce Bradley, publisher of The Virginian-Pilot; David Ollison, employment director of The Urban League and Hans Gant, executive director of Foreward Hampton Roads. The discussion will focus on jobs.
There have been recent signs of a coming together by communities here. The Hampton Roads Partnership will soon hire a consultant to help decide if the region should have a 20,000-seat sports arena. The opening of the Virginia Beach Amphitheater will help to unite the area.
As you will see and hear if you watch ``Hampton Roads: What Is In It For Me?'' tonight at 9, it's only a start. We have a way to go before Hampton Roads is one in mind and spirit. ILLUSTRATION: Photo< G. William Whitehurt
by CNB