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HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT POWELL HOLDING, III
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) for 5 minutes.
Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Robert Powell Holding, III, of Wilmington, North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson once said, ``God who gave us life gave us liberty.''
North Carolina is fortunate to have an embodiment of this American spirit in Robert Holding, III, who is continuing his battle against pancreatic cancer by working on a new E.A. Morris/Robert P. Holding Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.
Mr. Speaker, I first met Robert, or ``Robbie'', as so many of his closest friends and family in our home county of Johnston call him, when I was a teenager working on our family farm during the summers.
He drove up in his pickup, with his wrist resting on top of the steering--the window rolled down, of course. I don't know how I can recall that detail so vividly and not remember the exact year, but I think I was about 13 or 14.
He had stopped by the shop there at the farm to visit with my uncle for a bit. They talked weather and the crops and the latest news in the county for a good 30 minutes, maybe longer.
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Now, that wasn't the first time I had seen a neighboring farmer come by in their pickup to talk, but it was the first time I had ever met a Holding. I had heard about the family for years--arguably the most influential family in Johnston County and eastern North Carolina--but I had never met one until that day. Years later we would be neighbors at McGee's Crossroads in Johnston County and in Wilmington as well.
Former U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth said it best when he wrote about Robert Holding: Robert, you are one of the strongest people of faith I know. Lauch went on: I remember launching my campaign in your living room. You have been in the top leadership for Reagan in 1980, Senator Jesse Helms, myself, Senator Dole, and others.
My dear friend and former Congressman George Holding added: I watched my older brother work hard for years, building businesses in manufacturing, media, real estate, and finance. And I watched him tirelessly give back to his family and community.
I have personally seen firsthand how Robert Holding's hard work, mentoring, and insightful mind inspires others. He has helped make our State and Nation a much better place.
From the Nutcracker Company to vice president of promotional wholesale; from founder and CEO of Carolantic Communications and RP Industries; to founding Reedy Branch Farms, Robert has worked to be a contributor to his community.
From founder and CEO of Allied Communications, Delta Broadcasting and WKFT-TV, to CFB Construction Company, Jefferson Marketing, RP Holding Realty, the Coalition for Freedom, and the Vance Young Team at Intracoastal Realty, Robert has provided love, leadership, and jobs to employees and owners.
From Americans for Reagan to Helms, Faircloth, Dole, Leo Daughtry, the Congressional Club, and so many others, Robert Holding is a visionary business leader who stands for what he believes.
You can see his kind heart in how he continues to give back to our community locally through his nonprofit work, and by his help to champion to E.A. Morris Cancer Center at Duke University. He is helping lead projects in Johnston County to strengthen Providence Presbyterian Church, expand LifeSpring Academy, and support Friendship Baptist Church, as well as his work with the Wilmington Boys and Girls Club, and leadership of Monday night Bible study.
He has also worked tirelessly to champion wildlife conservation across North Carolina with legendary conservationist Eddie Bridges. His vision for the Eddie C. Bridges, Robert P. Holding Black Creek Youth for Christ Wildlife Habitat Conservation Grounds will help future generations value our amazing natural sources.
Like his father and grandfather before him, Robert Holding, III, is an example of the American spirit that makes this country great; the spirit of faith, family, and community; the spirit to be the best we can be and to help others.
God bless you, Robert, and thank you. May God bless your wife, Pam; your children, Bob and Amy; your six grandchildren; your brothers, Frank and George; your sister, Jane; and all those whose lives you continue to touch.
Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to know Robert and to recognize him today.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 192
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