[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID R. HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TONY P. HALL

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor David R. Holmes, an 
outstanding civic leader in Dayton, Ohio, within my district. David's 
vision, energy, and commitment have been a driving force for 
development in Dayton during the last decade, especially in the 
downtown area.
  David was a founder and co-chairman of the Downtown Dayton 
Partnership. This nonprofit organization was established in 1991 to 
expand business in downtown Dayton and to make the city center a more 
pleasant place to live, work, and shop. The Partnership has also 
supported expanding cultural and entertainment opportunities in 
downtown.
  David also served as chairman of the RiverScape Development Team and 
helped raise $28 million to revitalize the downtown river front area. 
The result is a beautiful scenic and recreational area along the Great 
Miami River that offers a variety of activities, programming, and 
sites, including a fountain that shoots streams of water 200 feet in 
the air as a backdrop for laser shows.
  Under his direction, Reynolds and Reynolds spent millions of dollars 
restoring historic buildings in downtown Dayton near the company 
headquarters.
  Several years ago, David asked to meet with me to generate support 
for the RiverScape project. I was deeply impressed with his plans and I 
immediately agreed to help. Looking back now, it is easy to forget that 
in those days it took a lot of courage to put so much energy into 
downtown Dayton development when so many people thought it was a lost 
cause.
  David's other civic contributions include chairing Dayton's 1992 
United Way campaign, one of the most successful United Way drives in 
Dayton history. He served on numerous boards of directors of local 
charitable and educational organizations.
  David is currently chairman of the board for The Reynolds and 
Reynolds Company. He served as president and chief executive officer 
from 1989 until May 1999. At the same time he donated his time to 
Dayton, he was an outstanding businessman, leading Reynolds and 
Reynolds through explosive growth.
  Tomorrow, on November 9, 2001, the Downtown Dayton Partnership will 
honor David during a ceremony at Dayton's RiverScape. I offer him my 
congratulations and thanks for the work he has done on behalf of our 
community. However, the real monument to his achievement is not our 
words, but the landscape of Dayton that will be forever changed because 
of his efforts.

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