[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 33 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING REPRESENTATIVE CASS BALLENGER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, a week ago yesterday, the Nation lost one 
of its most selfless and unique public servants with the passing of my 
predecessor, former North Carolina 10th District Congressman Cass 
Ballenger.
  Up until 2005, Congressman Ballenger represented the 10th District of 
North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives. During 
that time, he served as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce 
Protections, where he authored groundbreaking legislation that improved 
workplace safety and created the opportunity for employers and 
regulators to be partners, not adversaries, in protecting the health 
and safety of workers.
  As chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee on the 
International Relations Committee, he took on the daunting and often 
thankless task of fighting to promote democracy and defend human rights 
in Central and South American nations. He did this not only for the 
sake of justice in those countries, but also to protect the interests 
of the United States.
  His personal commitment to serving his constituents is a legendary 
example that I strive every day to follow. I was the beneficiary of his 
kind and gracious nature when I was elected to represent the 10th 
District in 2005 after his decision to retire from the House. He 
personally provided me with guidance and assistance that immeasurably 
helped me as a new Member of Congress and ensured continuity of our 
quality constituent services for western North Carolina.
  In his personal and professional life, Cass placed others before 
himself. He was a part of the Greatest Generation. He fought in World 
War II and returned home to go to college. He started a family and 
joined his father's business in box manufacturing. He told his father 
that boxes were a thing of the past and the wave of the future was 
plastics. It is almost like it was George Bailey coming home to say 
that.
  As a county commissioner in Catawba County, he was one of the first 
Republicans elected after the Civil War. Now, at this date, Catawba 
County is one of the most Republican counties in the State of North 
Carolina.
  He led the way to establish the Catawba Valley Community College and 
Catawba Valley Medical Center. As a legislator in the North Carolina 
General Assembly, he authored the State's first meaningful open 
meetings law and was named Most Effective Republican Legislator by the 
North Carolina Institute of Government.
  It would take volumes to talk about all of the philanthropic work of 
Congressman Ballenger and his wife, Donna, but they are responsible for 
countless schools, day care centers, hospitals, and disaster responses 
in the United States and Central and South America as well.
  Personally, Cass was the ultimate character. He could tell you a 
great story, a great joke, and tell you off, and you would laugh at 
everything he said.
  In addition to being one of the most distinguished Members of the 
House and the North Carolina Republican delegation generally, 
Congressman Ballenger was also very colorful. There are great moments 
here on the House floor that we can point to.
  Anyone who spent any time with him knew that he was affable, kind, 
and brutally honest. He would tell you exactly what he was thinking, 
and generally with a hilarious delivery. He was one of the few people 
who could hold someone accountable in the most blistering way possible, 
make you laugh, and also help you out of a tight spot, all in one 
conversation. He was a rare person, indeed, and he will be missed.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in a moment of silence on the 
passing of Congressman Cass Ballenger.

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