"Tante Hilda, Oma, the Grand Dame of Texas politics."  
    Whether by these or any other names of respect and endearment, Friday, Jan. 29, was truly her day.
    More than 700 persons from all walks of life jammed into TLC's Memorial Gymnasium to pay their respects to Seguin's famed Hilda B. Weinert  last Friday night.
    It was "Hilda B. Weinert Day" in Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas and the U. S., and the great and near great supped together in her honor.
    Among the many telegrams were two which were read at the dinner, one from Lady Bird Johnson sending congratulations from the president and herself; another was from Gov. and Mrs. John Connolly.
    And the sparkle and personality of the beloved Mrs. Weinert shone brightly as the star attraction in a massive throng that included former governors, the state attorney general, other state and national figures, business, educational, church and lay leaders.
    The scene greeting each guest was one of splendor in a theme of gold, symbolic of her 50 years of public service.
    Gold glittered ivy trailed throughout the tables which were centered with gold sprayed rosebuds, gold candles in three graduated sizes and gold decorative butterflies provided a suitable touch at each of the banquet tables.
    Programs placed at each place bore a sketched portrait of Mrs. Weinert on the cover with the words  "Half Century of Dedicated Service."  
    Gov. John Connally's official memorandum proclaiming Hilda Weinert Day was on page two.
    Dinner music was furnished by the Seguin High School Band.  
    The Rev. Daniel F. Schorlemer, president of the Guadalupe County Ministerial Association, gave the invocation, and Stan McKenzie was the master of ceremonies.
    Verbal tributes were paid Mrs. Weinert with Mrs. Thomas Lovett, the former Johnnie Jean Weinert, who represented the family, leading off.
    Edgar Engelke, represented the near 50 employees and Mrs. Theo M. Janssen, a life long friend, spoke words of appreciation from the Emanuel's Lutheran Church.
    Superintendent A. J. Briesemeister represented the schools, telling  of Mrs. Weinert's 30 years on the Seguin Independent School District Board.
    Dr. Wm. F. Kraushaar, in behalf of TLC, described Mrs. Weinert's 27 years on the board of regents, 12 of those years as chairman of the board.
    Enumerating her great interests in the community was Rep. John Traeger.
    Former Gov. Price Daniel brought words of appreciation on behalf of government stating that she hasn't missed a single national Democratic convention since 1936 and had missed only one state convention in the last 30 years.
    He added: "I don't know how we ever got along without you during that convention."
    Mrs. Weinert has been active in politics since the early '30s having just recently retired from the position which she held for 16 years as the National Democratic Committee woman from Texas/
    The former governor named some of the appointments the honoree received from the many previous governors and the presidents of the United States.
    Sen. Walter Richter introduced Gov. Daniel along with former Gov. Allen Shivers and the many other dignitaries present for the testimonial dinner.
    Mrs. Weinert was presented with a maroon velvet covered book with a gold plaque on the cover.
    The thick book contained many letters and telegrams from her host of friends.
    The Rev. Thomas Lovett of Austin gave the benediction.
Seguin Gazette, February 3, 1965