[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF EARL LEROY ASHE, JR.

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                          HON. GEORGE HOLDING

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2020

  Mr. HOLDING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to take pause and reflect on 
the life of Earl Leroy Ashe, Jr.
  Earl Ashe was born on February 8, 1933. As a teenager, he joined the 
Army and later became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
  Following Earl's discharge from the military, he went on to attend 
North Carolina State University and later graduated from the University 
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in English.
  It was after his graduation from college, Madam Speaker, that Earl 
Ashe became a pioneer in the early days of television. He first started 
at several small television stations and then moved to Raleigh, North 
Carolina where he helped launch WRAL.
  During his career at WRAL, Earl produced and directed the daily news, 
the Uncle Paul children's show, local wrestling, and many other shows 
and commercials. While with WRAL, Earl met and befriended the future 
Senator Jesse Helms.
  Years later he joined Senator Helms to write, produce, and direct 
commercials for his senatorial campaigns. Earl was a trendsetter in 
campaign ad production; creating effective ads that moved public 
opinion and had a lasting impact on the state of North Carolina. So 
effective, in fact, that he also helped write advertisements for 
Senators' John East and Lauch Faircloth.
  Earl was known for his love of jazz music from the 1950s and 1960s 
and his plethora of opinions relating to foreign affairs, the military, 
and the overall direction of our country. And, Madam Speaker, Earl's 
storytelling was that of legend.
  Sadly, however, Earl Ashe passed away on November 12, 2020. He is 
deeply missed by his friends, family, and the entire community.

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