[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF HOLLADAY JOHNSTON RICHARDSON

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, early this morning, I lost one of my 
closest friends and staff members, Holly Johnston Richardson, who 
succumbed after a difficult battle with cancer. For nearly 30 years, 
she was a member of my extended family in every sense of the word. She 
was my right hand. My trusted advisor. My vital link to literally 
thousands of South Carolina friends, constituents, and family members.
  But more than anything else, Mr. President, Holly Richardson was one 
of my dearest friends, and I will miss her more than words can convey.
  To her husband, Phil, to her two wonderful children, Anne and Emmett, 
and to Holly's mother and father, Joanne and Coy Johnston of 
Summerville, South Carolina. I extend my heartfelt sympathies. I know 
my colleagues--so many of whom knew Holly very well--join me in 
expressing their support and offering their prayers during this very 
difficult time.
  But it is Holly Richardson's life, and the courage she demonstrated 
throughout her illness, that is most on my mind today. I know I speak 
for everyone who knew and loved Holly as I did in saying that we deeply 
mourn her passing, and yet celebrate her wonderful life, a life 
dedicated to God, to her family, to her fellow man, and to her State 
and Nation.
  Like all trusted staff members, Holly Richardson had my ear. What she 
probably never knew fully is that she also had my heart. On a personal 
level, she was--for my entire family--an unofficial ``third daughter.'' 
Our confidant. Our friend. Our partner in so many aspects of our lives.
  On a professional level, Holly and I were virtually inseparable. As 
anyone who has ever visited my Senate office knows, Holly's desk was 
always next to mine. We shared an office ever since she became my 
personal secretary in 1979. She could always be counted upon to work 
the longest hours, to handle the toughest jobs, and to render 
evenhanded advice and counsel.
  In fact, it was Holly who quietly bragged that she had broken in more 
than eight chiefs of staffs, five or six office press secretaries, 
eight committee chief counsels, and literally hundreds of staff 
assistants, aides and interns. She was, of course, correct. Holly was 
``the standard'' when it came to professionalism, hard work, integrity 
and public service in a United States Senate office.
  It is not an exaggeration to say that ``everyone'' knew Holly. 
Whether you were from South Carolina, or were a Washington, D.C. 
fixture, if you were around politics, you knew, and you came to love, 
Holly Richardson. From Presidents and First Ladies, to Senators and 
their spouses, to everyday working men and women who would call my 
office, Holly was beloved at every level of life.
  Single-minded. Fiercely independent. Loyal and dedicated. She had the 
personal qualities that define what President Theodore Roosevelt once 
called the ``courageous life.''
  But it was not until she was diagnosed with breast cancer less than a 
year ago, that people came to see just how courageous an individual 
Holly Richardson actually was.
  Holly never wore her illness on her sleeve. She never asked you to 
feel sorry for her, share her burden, or wallow in her pity. In fact, 
few people outside of the office even knew Holly was sick. The reason 
was, of course, that she didn't feel sorry for herself. Holly summoned 
the courage of a warrior to fight her disease. And with quiet dignity 
and the help of the Almighty, she fought as bravely as any soldier I 
have ever known.
  Her dedication to work, and to the people of South Carolina--whom she 
considered her ``real bosses''--paled only to her devotion as a wife 
and a mother. Holly always made time for what was truly important in 
life. She and her husband Phil together built a loving home and were 
blessed with two wonderful children. She was an active member of her 
parish, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, in Virginia, and managed to make 
time to be scout helper, soccer Mom and, above all, role model.
  Holly's life was truly a gift, which she shared without reservation 
with everyone she knew and loved. That gift now lives on in all of us--
for she inspired our lives, strengthened our spirits, and touched our 
hearts.

                          ____________________