[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF CATHY BLACKBURN NOVINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, South Carolinians are 
mourning the recent passing of Cathy Blackburn Novinger who achieved 
the highest levels of business, civic, and philanthropic success. Her 
affection for the citizens of South Carolina is evident from the 
following obituary published in The State newspaper of Columbia, South 
Carolina on November 29, 2016:

       Cheraw.--Cathy Blackburn Novinger passed away November 27, 
     2016 at her home in Cheraw, SC after a heroic battle with 
     ovarian cancer. She was the CEO of Palmetto AgriBusiness 
     Council and President and CEO of Novinger QTR, Inc.
       Born April 7th, 1949 in Portsmouth, Ohio, she was the 
     daughter of Leona Collingsworth Blackburn and the late Donald 
     Everett Blackburn. She is survived by her mother; her husband 
     of 48 years, Robert L. Novinger; her son, Dr. Travis Novinger 
     and daughter in law, Laurie Novinger; grandchildren, Taylor 
     Novinger and Abbey Novinger; sister, Donna Blackburn Jumper 
     and brother in law, Henry Jumper; niece, Cristie Russell; 
     nephew, Tyler Russell (Sarah); great niece, Emma Grace 
     Russell; and brother in law Dean Novinger (Lisa).
       Cathy received her Business Administration Degree from 
     Southeastern Business College and was a graduate of the 
     Edison Electric Institute's Electric Utility Executive 
     Management Program. She moved to her adopted city of 
     Columbia, SC in 1968 where she went to work for SCANA 
     Corporation as a file clerk and rose to Vice President at the 
     early age of 32, retiring as Senior Vice President in 1999. 
     Her career as a Senior Officer and Senior Public Policy Maker 
     for SCANA included roles in economic development, 
     communications, labor relations, governmental affairs, 
     strategic planning, human resources and public relations. 
     After retiring from SCANA, she was chosen to lead the state's 
     new agribusiness association, Palmetto AgriBusiness Council 
     and under her leadership for 16 years, the Council became a 
     unified voice for South Carolina's largest industry of 
     agriculture and forestry. It was also at this time she formed 
     her consulting company, Novinger QTR, Inc.
       After her diagnosis of ovarian cancer and seeing the need 
     to educate women about this deadly disease, Cathy founded an 
     ovarian cancer organization, today known as the Ovarian 
     Cancer Coalition of Central SC, which brings awareness to the 
     symptoms and the importance of early detection. She served as 
     the organization's Board chair since 2006. She began the 
     Coalition's signature event, the Ovarian Cancer Butterfly 
     Release which is held every September at the State House to 
     honor and remember those affected by ovarian cancer. She 
     became a symbol of inspiration and hope to women who were 
     battling this disease.
       An advocate for improving the quality of life in her 
     community, Cathy earned a lifetime of achievements and honors 
     including: the University of South Carolina Honorary 
     Doctorate Degree of Public Service, 2011 Humanitarian of the 
     Year, 2010 Ag Advocate of the Year, 2010 West Metro Chamber 
     Lifetime Achievement Award, 2006 Ambassador of the Year, 1999 
     Order of the Palmetto, SC Historical Foundation Society 
     Businesswoman of the Year, SC Schools Public Relations 
     Association Outstanding Leader in Education, Ohio Council of 
     Colleges Outstanding Private Career Graduate, SC Business & 
     Professional Women's Career Woman of the Year, Columbia 
     Metropolitan Magazine's Five Women of the Decade and Midlands 
     Top 25 Influential Leaders. During her professional career, 
     Cathy served on numerous Boards and Commissions including: 
     Midlands Business Leadership Group, Advocates for 
     Agriculture, SC Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, SC 
     Office of Rural Health Board, SC State University Board of 
     Trustees, USC School of Medicine Partnership Board, SC State 
     Board for Technical & Comprehensive Education (past chair), 
     Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (past 
     chair), Lexington Medical Center Foundation Board, SC Civil 
     Justice Coalition (past chair), SC Department of Commerce 
     Executive Committee, Midlands Housing Alliance (past chair), 
     The River Alliance Executive Committee, USC Dean's Council-
     College of Hospitality, SC Research Authority Board of 
     Trustees (past chair) and Cultural Council of Richland and 
     Lexington Counties (past chair). On the national level, she 
     served on the White House Council on Rural America as chair, 
     Southern States Energy Board Utility Advisory Council, the 
     U.S. Business & Industry Council Board of Trustees and the 
     Junior Achievement National Liaison.
       Cathy lived her life devoted to her God, her family and her 
     community. As much as she loved her work, she loved her 
     family even more. Her legacy will live on in the paths she 
     has blazed, the many lives she has impacted and her profound 
     sense of service to others. We will miss her goodness and 
     grace. The family would like to thank Dr. Greg Konduras, 
     Lexington Family Practice; the staff at SC Oncology 
     Associates, especially Dr. Terry Smith and Dr. William 
     Merritt and nurses, Kathy Chavis and Mary Leitch; Ultra Med 
     Plus, Cheryl Evans; Gentiva and the staff at Embrace Hospice, 
     especially Jamie Perkins, Cathy's Administrative Assistant, 
     NRS Sandy Boozer and the Eleventh floor, Palmetto Health 
     Richland.
       Funeral service will be held Sunday, December 4, 2016 at 
     3:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 2003 Charleston Highway, 
     Cayce. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Columbia. A 
     visitation will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 5:30 
     p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church. In lieu of 
     flowers, memorial may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Coalition 
     of Central SC, 602 Meeting Street, Suite B, West Columbia, SC 
     29169.

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