[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING REPRESENTATIVE WARREN ``PETE'' OLDHAM

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of 
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, last month, the State of North Carolina lost a 
fine man, former North Carolina Representative Warren ``Pete'' Oldham. 
I had the privilege of serving with Pete in the North Carolina General 
Assembly. While we did not always agree on every issue, I always 
respected and admired him for his commitment to constituent service and 
doing what he believed was right. He was always a very pleasant and 
polite person.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pete Oldham for a life focused 
upon helping others. Pete wore many hats during his life. He was a 
loving husband and father, an athlete, a teacher, a coach, a referee, a 
university official, a church leader, a public servant and a gardener.
  Pete was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late Reverend 
Philander and Minta Oldham. After serving in the Navy during World War 
II, he enrolled in Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia, on 
a football scholarship. He transferred to Bluefield State College in 
Bluefield, West Virginia, where he graduated in 1951 with a bachelor of 
science degree in secondary education and majors in social studies and 
physical education. He then went on to receive a master of science 
degree in physical education in 1958 from West Virginia University, and 
his principal certification from North Carolina A&T State University in 
1962.
  Pete was a teacher and coach at Atkins High School from 1951 to 1963. 
He then went to work at Winston-Salem State University for over 20 
years, where he retired as the school's registrar. During his time at 
the university, Pete always reserved time to coach high school and 
college students in basketball and football.
  Pete was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 
1990 where we went on to become the co-chairman of the House Committee 
on Appropriations. Twelve years later, he retired from the Chamber to 
care for his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He said, 
``I made a vow and a commitment, and I intend to honor them.''
  Pete leaves behind his loving wife, Gladys, and daughters Donna 
Oldham and Leslie Oldham Bolden. My thoughts and prayers are with the 
family during this difficult time.
  Mr. Speaker, the State of North Carolina is fortunate to have been 
served by former Representative Warren ``Pete'' Oldham. He touched the 
lives of many and he will be missed.

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