[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5657-S5658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

                    TRIBUTE TO ROBERT EDWARD HOLROYD

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate a man 
who has made a significant impact on the State of West Virginia and on 
his community--Robert Edward Holroyd is not only a dear friend of mine, 
but the work he has done for our State has been beyond extraordinary. 
Bob and I have been friends for a very long time and in addition to 
being a wonderful friend, he is also a counselor, and someone on whom I 
often rely for advice and wisdom.
  Holroyd has been active in improving the medical practices for the 
State of West Virginia. He was one of the organizers of Princeton 
Community Hospital, where he served on the board until he became 
general counsel of the hospital, a position he continues to hold. Also, 
he is presently the chair of St. Luke's Hospital in Bluefield, WV and 
serves as chairman of the Mercer County 911 committee.
  In 1981, Holroyd played a significant role in the opening of the 
Princeton Health Care Center nursing home, which is celebrating its 
25th anniversary on June 16, 2006. Princeton Community Hospital opened 
as a general hospital on December 20, 1970, and was chartered as a 
nonprofit organization with its own board of directors to establish and 
plan for future health care centers. Since its inception, and thanks to 
those like Holroyd, the hospital staff has grown from 13 physicians and 
125 employees to more than 100 doctors and 1,140 employees today as it 
celebrates this milestone. With the addition of new equipment, the 
adoption of new concepts in health care delivery, and the expansion of 
the facility, the hospital's well-trained and highly motivated 
professionals are able to provide quality health care services for the 
citizens of Mercer and surrounding counties. The hospital's many 
specialties and technological advancements place it on the leading edge 
of medical treatment in southern West Virginia.
  Mr. Holroyd was born to the late Virginia Lazenby and the late Dr. 
Frank Jackson Holroyd on September 15, 1931, in Princeton, Mercer 
County, WV. Beginning in his youth in Mercer County,

[[Page S5658]]

Holroyd was a natural born leader, already making an impact in his 
community. He was active in the First Baptist Church in Princeton, WV 
as well as the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1, in which he attained the 
rank of Eagle Scout. While at Princeton High School, Holroyd was a 
member of the nationally ranked Princeton High 1948-49 debate team. As 
a result of his successes early in life, Holroyd received a 4-year 
scholarship to West Virginia University.
  At West Virginia University, he majored in political science and 
speech. During his tenure at the University, Holroyd left Morgantown 
and joined the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. 
Holroyd served on active duty for 3 years and served with special 
assignments to military police. In 1954, Holroyd became a Marine 
reservist and returned to Morgantown, WV to finish his undergraduate 
studies, and pursue law school. He graduated with a law degree in 1958 
and returned home to Princeton, WV, to practice law.
  Holroyd's interest in politics blossomed after law school, and in 
1960, he became very active in President John F. Kennedy's primary 
campaign in southern West Virginia. In Princeton, Holroyd was assistant 
prosecuting attorney from 1961-1964. In 1964, he was elected to the 
West Virginia House of Delegates and served as prosecuting attorney of 
Mercer County from 1965-1967. Besides working on President Kennedy's 
campaign, Holroyd continued supporting the Democratic Party by serving 
on the West Virginia State Democratic Executive Committee for two 
terms, as well as being a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention in 1976.
  Holroyd served West Virginia as a consultant to the Governor's 
Committee on Crime and Delinquency and Correction and the International 
Association of Chiefs of Police. He was also an instructor on Criminal 
Law and Procedure at West Virginia State Police Academy and West 
Virginia Basic Police Science Courses at Institute, WV. Holroyd also 
served the Police force by being a guest instructor at Bluefield State 
College, Police Service Department and as an adjunct professor at 
Marshall University.
  Throughout his community, Holroyd was a past member and officer in 
Princeton's Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member in the 
Princeton Rotary Club, and is a current member of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars--VFW, American Legion, Elks, Moose, Mercer County and West 
Virginia's State Bar Associations.
  Husband to Emilie Norwood Adams, father to Elizabeth, William and 
Mary Jacqueline Holroyd, and grandfather to four, Holroyd has served 
his family, his State, and his country. West Virginia is proud and 
honored to say he represents the State, and I am proud and honored to 
say he is a dear friend. West Virginia thanks him for his extraordinary 
service and for his leadership some 25 years ago that make this 
anniversary possible for the Princeton Health Care Center nursing 
home.

                          ____________________