[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT HIESTAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2010

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, March 30, an Atlanta 
icon passed away. Robert Hiestand sold roses and carnations on the 
corner of Northside Parkway and West Paces Ferry for 20 years and, in 
the process, became a ubiquitous fixture in the daily routine of 
Atlantans from all walks of life. He was 55 when he passed.
  Over the years, Governors, state legislators and Members of Congress 
including myself have stopped for a few kind words and a few beautiful 
flowers from Robert. Yet it is the students who often saw him on their 
way back and forth from school that have most loudly opined his loss.
  I have heard a few different versions of how Robert ended up in 
Atlanta but the version he told was that his motorcycle ran out of gas 
as he was passing through and he decided to stay. For two decades after 
that, come rain, come summer heat, come winter cold, come what may, 
Robert's only condition to go to work was whether the flowers could 
survive.
  The vibrant remembrances of the Atlanta community reflect the 
tremendous impact of his character, of his hard work and of his staunch 
individualism that allowed him to carve out his own niche and leave a 
lasting impression on the lives of so many. He will be missed and I ask 
my colleagues to join me in honoring his contribution to Atlanta.

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