[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 3, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H2893-H2894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. WILLIAM SPOELHOF

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 91) honoring the life and service of Dr. William 
Spoelhof, president emeritus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 91

       Whereas Dr. William Spoelhof was born on December 8, 1909, 
     in Paterson, New Jersey, and passed away on December 3, 2008, 
     at the age of 98;
       Whereas in 1931, Dr. Spoelhof graduated from Calvin College 
     in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and began teaching social studies 
     at the middle school level;
       Whereas in 1937, Dr. Spoelhof received a Master of Arts 
     degree and began his doctoral studies at the University of 
     Michigan;
       Whereas during World War II, Dr. Spoelhof served our 
     country by joining the Office of Strategic Services in 1942 
     and enlisting in the Navy in 1943;
       Whereas following the war, Dr. Spoelhof completed his 
     doctoral work at the University of Michigan, and, in 1946, 
     returned to Calvin College to teach history and political 
     science;
       Whereas in 1956, 5 years after becoming president of Calvin 
     College, Dr. Spoelhof oversaw the process of moving Calvin 
     College from its original Franklin Street campus located near 
     downtown Grand Rapids to its current Knollcrest campus in 
     southeast Grand Rapids;
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof carefully balanced Calvin College's 
     vision for excellence in academics with its relationship with 
     the Christian Reformed Church, as he effectively steered the 
     College through church conflicts and the tumultuous, 
     nationwide student protests of the 1960s;
       Whereas in 1976, after 25 years of service as an 
     administrator, Dr. Spoelhof became the longest-serving 
     president in Calvin College's history to date and announced 
     his retirement;
       Whereas after his formal retirement, Dr. Spoelhof was named 
     president emeritus and maintained an office and steady 
     presence at the College, offering continued support and 
     goodwill whenever needed;
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof was a Christian role model and mentor 
     to many faculty members, staff, and students, as he provided 
     wisdom and counsel to thousands of individuals during his 
     more than 6 decades of service to Calvin College;
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof is fondly remembered for his 
     contributions to daily discussions with retired faculty and 
     students at the ``Emeritorium'' and for his kind words to 
     passersby around the campus;
       Whereas on December 3, 2004, Calvin College physics and 
     astronomy professor, Larry Molnar, discovered an asteroid, 
     and named it Asteroid 129099 Spoelhof in honor of Dr. 
     Spoelhof;
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof was a respected leader in the 
     Christian Reformed Church denomination, an educator of 
     generations of teachers and ministers through programs at 
     Calvin College, a faithful presence at the denominational 
     Synod meetings, and a loyal member of the Neland Avenue 
     Christian Reformed Church;
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by 
     the Navy for his service in World War II;
       Whereas, for his contributions in liaison with the Dutch 
     Resistance Movement, Dr. Spoelhof was honored by Queen 
     Wilhelmina of the Netherlands with the Order of Orange-Nassau 
     with swords and a laurel wreath;
       Whereas in 1935, Dr. Spoelhof married Miss Angeline Nydam, 
     and they had three children, Robert Spoelhof, Elsa 
     Scherphorn, and Peter Spoelhof;
       Whereas Ange, as Dr. Spoelhof lovingly called his wife, 
     passed away in 1994; and
       Whereas Dr. Spoelhof lived a life of gratitude and desired 
     to bring God's glory in all he did, and, on December 3, 2008, 
     the Calvin College community lost a visionary leader and wise 
     friend: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors the life 
     of Dr. William Spoelhof and his outstanding devotion and 
     service as a member of the military, teacher, and professor, 
     president, and friend of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, 
     Michigan.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Polis) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous 
materials into the Record on House Resolution 91.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 91, which 
honors the life and achievements of Dr. William Spoelhof, a long-time 
president of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Spoelhof, a 
decorated war hero, a dedicated member of the Christian Reformed Church 
and father of three, passed away at the age of 98 on December 3, 2008.
  Born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1909, Dr. Spoelhof graduated from 
Calvin College in 1931 and began teaching social studies in a local 
middle school. He left to pursue a Master of Arts degree, first at 
Columbia University, then transferring to the University of Michigan 
where he received his degree in 1937, beginning his doctoral studies 
immediately afterwards.
  He deferred his studies during World War II, serving our Nation in 
the Office of Strategic Services, then enlisting in the Navy. The Navy 
recognized his service by awarding him a Bronze Star Medal, and for his 
efforts with the Dutch Resistance Movement, Dr. Spoelhof was honored by 
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands with the order of Orange-Nassau.
  After receiving his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 
1946, Spoelhof returned to Calvin College to begin his long and 
distinguished career there. He began teaching history and political 
science at the college, and became president in 1951. Dr. Spoelhof was 
a dedicated member of the Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 
which had a very close relationship with Calvin College. Dr. Spoelhof 
effectively led the college through church conflicts and student 
protests of the turbulent 1960s as well as oversaw Calvin College's 
move from its Franklin Street location to its current Knollcrest 
campus. Today, one of the principal buildings in this 400-acre campus 
is the William Spoelhof College Center.
  After 25 years of service to Calvin College, Dr. Spoelhof retired in 
1976 as the longest serving president in the college's history. After 
his formal retirement, Dr. Spoelhof was named president emeritus, 
maintaining an office and continuing to act as a mentor for countless 
faculty members, staff and students. He was also honored by a Calvin 
College professor, Larry Molnar, who discovered an asteroid in 2004 and 
named it ``Spoelhof.''
  Dr. Spoelhof and his wife, Angeline Nydam, who passed away in 1994, 
had three children together: Robert, Peter and Elsa Scherphorn.
  A committed servant and role model in his community, William 
Spoelhof's dedication to his college, his church and his country sets a 
prime example for our Nation to follow. I would like to have this 
opportunity to recognize his life and accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASSIDY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 91, offered 
by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers). This resolution honors the 
life and service of William Spoelhof, president emeritus of Calvin 
College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  Dr. Spoelhof was born in 1909 in Paterson, New Jersey, and passed 
away on December 3, 2008, at the age of 98. He graduated from Calvin 
College in 1931 and began teaching social studies at the middle school 
level. In 1937, he received his Master of Arts degree, and began his 
doctoral studies at the University of Michigan.

                              {time}  1230

  During World War II, Dr. Spoelhof enlisted in the U.S. Navy and 
served

[[Page H2894]]

our country in the Office of Strategic Services. He was awarded the 
Bronze Star Medal by the Navy for his service. Also, for his 
contributions in liaison with the Dutch Resistance Movement, Dr. 
Spoelhof was honored by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands with the 
Order of Orange-Nassau with swords and a laurel wreath.
  Following the war, in 1946, he completed his doctoral work and 
returned to Calvin College to teach history and political science. 
After becoming President of Calvin College, Dr. Spoelhof oversaw the 
process of moving Calvin College from its original Franklin Street 
campus, located in urban Grand Rapids, to its current campus in 
southeast Grand Rapids.
  Dr. Spoelhof carefully balanced Calvin College's vision for excellent 
academics with its relationship with the Christian Reformed Church as 
he effectively steered the college through occasional church conflicts 
and the tumultuous, nationwide student protests of the 1960s.
  In 1976, after 25 years of service as an administrator, Dr. Spoelhof 
became the longest-serving president in Calvin College's history to 
date. After his formal retirement, he was named president emeritus and 
maintained an office and steady presence at the college, offering 
continued support and goodwill whenever needed.
  Dr. Spoelhof was a Christian role model and mentor to many faculty 
members, staff and students as he provided wisdom and counsel to 
thousands during his more than six decades of service to Calvin 
College. Dr. Spoelhof lived a life of gratitude and desired to give 
glory to God in all that he did.
  On December 3, 2008, Calvin College lost a visionary leader and wise 
friend. He is to be honored and recognized for his outstanding devotion 
and service as a member of the military, a Calvin College professor, 
and president and friend.
  Again, I commend the gentleman from Michigan for introducing this 
resolution and urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
91, to honor the life and service of William Spoelhof, president 
emeritus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am honored to 
represent Calvin College and am very thankful for its excellent 
education efforts. I am also proud to say that I attended Calvin 
College, and served as a professor of Physics at Calvin College.
  Dr. William Spoelhof was born in 1909 in Paterson, New Jersey, and 
passed away on December 3, 2008, at the age of 98.
  William Spoelhof graduated from Calvin College in 1931, and began 
teaching social studies at the middle school level. In 1937, he 
received his Masters of Arts degree, and began his doctoral studies at 
the University of Michigan.
  During World War II, Dr. Spoelhof enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and 
served our country in the Office of Strategic Services. He was awarded 
the Bronze Star Medal by the Navy for this service. Also, for his 
contributions in liaison with the Dutch Resistance Movement, Dr. 
Spoelhof was honored by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands with the 
Order of Orange-Nassau with swords and a laurel wreath.
  Following the war, in 1946, he completed his doctoral work, and 
returned to Calvin College to teach history and political science. 
After becoming president of Calvin College, Dr. Spoelhof oversaw the 
process of moving Calvin College from its original Franklin Street 
campus, located in urban Grand Rapids, to its current campus in 
southeast Grand Rapids.
  Dr. Spoelhof carefully balanced Calvin College's vision for excellent 
academics with its relationship with the Christian Reformed Church, as 
he effectively steered the college through occasional church conflicts 
and the tumultuous, nationwide student protests of the 1960s.
  In 1976, after 25 years of service as an administrator, Dr. Spoelhof 
became the longest-serving president in Calvin College's history to 
date and announced his retirement.
  After his formal retirement, he was named president emeritus and 
maintained an office and steady presence at the College, offering 
continued support and goodwill whenever needed.
  William Spoelhof was married to Miss Angeline Nydam in 1935, and they 
had three children, Robert Spoelhof, Elsa Scherphorn, and Peter 
Spoelhof. Ange, as Dr. Spoelhof lovingly called his wife, passed away 
in 1994, after almost 60 years of marriage.
  Dr. Spoelhof was a Christian role model and mentor to many faculty 
members, staff and students, as he provided wisdom and counsel to 
thousands during his more than six decades of service to Calvin 
College.
  On a personal note, Dr. Spoelhof recruited me from the University of 
California at Berkley to teach Physics at Calvin College. I am deeply 
grateful for his guidance and for leading me to teach at a wonderful, 
Christian liberal arts college.
  Dr. Spoelhof lived a life of gratitude, and desired to bring God 
glory in all he did. On December 3, 2008, the Calvin College community 
lost a visionary leader and wise friend. He is to be honored and 
recognized for his outstanding devotion and service as a member of the 
military, a Calvin College professor and president and friend.
  It is with sincere admiration to him, and gratitude to God, that I 
pay my respects to Dr. Spoelhof on a life well lived, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in doing so.
  Mr. CASSIDY. I yield back my remaining time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 91, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________