[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 40 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HARRY CHARLES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM RICE

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2016

  Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of Mr. Harry Charles.
  I met Harry Charles in the mid-1980s at Trinity Episcopal Church. 
Harry was a gentleman, a gentle man, in every sense. Brilliant, soft-
spoken, and dignified with a shock of white hair and a sparkle in his 
eye, I liked him instantly. He and his wife, Jane, were loving, giving 
people. They were very involved in the community. The best compliment I 
can give them, or anyone, is that they were full of God's grace. They 
were graceful.
  Folks often came to Harry after he'd retired for legal advice. Many 
of those, Harry would send to me, which meant a lot to a young lawyer.
  I understate to say Harry and I were friends, and he was a great 
influence to me. But I want to share one aspect: He came by my office 
one day, looked me in the eye, and asked about my community 
involvement. When he deemed my answers inadequate, he said ``I guess 
we'll have to put you to work.'' Over the next 20 years, Harry 
appointed me to a commission to study emergency services, then to 6 
years on the Board of Zoning Appeals (ouch), then to 2 terms on Ocean 
View Foundation. Harry made sure my civic duties were fulfilled.
  I may have complained once or twice along the way, but I have no 
doubt that the people I met, and the lessons I learned carrying out 
Harry's assignments vastly broadened my perspective and eventually led 
me to the United States Congress.
  Harry will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________