[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF MATRIARCH ELEANOR B. HOLMES 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 
                   ``A WOMAN OF STRENGTH AND FAITH''

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, throughout our history, the vision and 
determination of women have strengthened and transformed America. 
Change can only come to our nation by those strong women whose 
contributions shape the history of our country. Women continue this 
legacy of leadership as professionals, public officials, leaders in 
their homes, as well as churches and other community organizations. 
They continuously provide guidance and care to their loved ones and 
strengthen America's families and communities.
  We have a fine example of a strong woman, Matriarch Eleanor B. 
Holmes, who has been a dedicated servant of the Church of New Hope 
Ministries for over 40 years. Over those forty years, Eleanor has 
served in various roles such as: International Women's Council, 21 
Years as the Local Missionary President, Usher Board member, Sunday 
School Teacher, Mother Board member, Missionary State Chaplin, and 
Chairperson of the South Carolina State Missionary Banner Committee.
  Born June 28, 1920, in Mayesville, South Carolina to Rosa (Smith) 
Bowens and Hugh Bowens. Eleanor's ancestry traces back to her 
grandparents Reverend David E. Smith & Rosa Smith, both were born in 
1860 into slavery. As a daughter of the South and descendant of 
Slavery, Eleanor Holmes was on the front line for civil rights and 
against Jim Crow. She fought for causes true to her faith and community 
by creating programs, like ``Feed A Child Program (Friendship 
Apartments, Sumter, SC),'' and establishing the New Hope Church Day 
Care Center.
  As a child, Eleanor walked from Shaw Cross Road, Mayesville, South 
Carolina to Salterstown, South Carolina. Reminded by the many years of 
walking several miles a day to attend Elementary and High School, she 
launched community school bus service so children of Sumter would not 
have to endure what she had to endure as a child growing up in the 
South. In 1947, Eleanor married William N. Holmes, a World War II 
Veteran, and from that union came eight children, thirteen 
grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, so often unrecognized and unrewarded, we have an 
outstanding individual, a real American hero, Eleanor Holmes, who has 
contributed greatly to the lifeblood of our nation and her beloved 
South Carolina. Please join me in recognizing Matriarch Eleanor B. 
Holmes on the occasion of her 90th Birthday, and her undaunted service 
to her community of Sumter, South Carolina.

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