[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 91 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1129-E1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORIAM: GEORGE HODDY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2010

  Mr. CAMP. Madam Speaker, today, my district laid to rest a local 
hero, a man who truly

[[Page E1130]]

embodied the community spirit that makes our country so great.
  George Hoddy, an extraordinarily accomplished businessman, booster, 
and philanthropist in Owosso, Michigan, died on Sunday at the age of 
105. His life is an example for all Americans.
  He moved to Owosso in 1936 as an enterprising young man, driven by a 
truly American spirit to provide jobs and help Owosso recover from the 
Great Depression.
  He founded Universal Electric Company in Owosso, becoming a community 
icon and providing steady employment for thousands. George was a 
constant innovator, developing ideas and obtaining 32 patents in the 
small-motor field.
  Not content with simply being a business leader, George was also icon 
in many-community organizations. A run-down of just a few of those 
include Memorial Healthcare, the Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts, 
Shiawassee YMCA and YWCA, Shiawassee United Way, Owosso-Corunna Area 
Chamber of Commerce, Owosso Industrial Development Corporation, the 
Shiawassee Foundation. His service truly was life-long: he was a Mason 
for more than 80 years.
  And there are many more. George's involvement illustrates how working 
together and giving back can better one's community.
  One of his crowning achievements was to encourage Baker College to 
come to Owosso. He served as the original Board of Regents chair for 
Baker College of Owosso. Most recently, he donated his home and four 
other buildings to the school, and established a scholarship in his and 
wife Lois's names there.
  He has been, rightly, called an ``honorary founding father'' by 
Owosso's Mayor. George Hoddy's belief in and commitment to the founding 
strengths our nation; free enterprise, limited government, and 
involvement in his community made him a giant among men. I valued his 
friendship and counsel. His life was one to be truly celebrated.

                          ____________________