[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 127 (Monday, November 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF MARLAND ``MARLEY'' LYLE HOLTE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2006

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of my 
good friend Marland ``Marley'' Lyle Holte, who was admired by many for 
his commitment to better the lives of the residents of San Benito 
County. Marley passed away Saturday, September 16, 2006 at the age of 
80, but left a long history of community service. Holte moved to 
Hollister in 1966 where he was a teacher at R.O. Hardin School for 
several years before becoming its principal. He served in that 
position, and later at Rancho San Justo School, for a total of 18 
years. Although he retired from teaching in 1987, he never really 
retired. He started a new vocation in the real estate business and in 
1994 opened Crown Realty. That same year, he won election as mayor of 
the City of San Juan Bautista.
  Marley was a familiar face in the community for decades, thanks to 
his efforts on behalf of the local youth, minorities and particularly 
the homeless. Friends remember him as a modest person who was reluctant 
to take credit for his good deeds. Marley served as President of the 
San Benito County Little League; Commissioner of Hollister's Parks and 
Recreation Commission; Director of the San Juan Bautista Chamber of 
Commerce; Member of the San Juan Bautista Planning Commission; 
President of 33rd District Agricultural Fair Board; and Chairman of the 
San Juan Bautista Rotary Club.
  Marley founded the Community Assistance Program and provided free 
dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas. He started the Christmas dinner 
tradition about 20 years ago after he and his wife decided to combine 
their money and feed the needy instead of buying gifts for each other. 
Several years later they started organizing Thanksgiving dinners as 
well. The Holiday Dinners began in 1985 and have continued ever since. 
The annual dinners, which have more than doubled in size since their 
inception, are funded entirely by donations from area businesses and 
residents. Holte said the success of the dinners is the result of 
widespread community support.
  Marley was well-liked by many for his ability to build consensus and 
transcend political, cultural and personal borders. He earned the 
admiration of the Latino community for his good deeds and was elected 
President of the San Benito County League of United Latin American 
Citizens, where he served in that position for 5 terms. Many in the 
Latino community referred to Marley as the ``Norwegian-Latino'' because 
of his love of the culture, music and most of all, its people. In 
addition to serving on nearly every local community organization, Holte 
had piled up an astounding collection of accolades, including ``Realtor 
of Year'' in 1993 and the LULAC ``Outstanding Man of the Year'' Award 
in 1996.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all 
the wonderful things that my good friend Marley gave to all of us. He 
will be missed by many including his son, Dan. His departure fills us 
with sadness but his outstanding work is an example to the generations 
that come.

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