[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E320-E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF JOHN HOLLOWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RASHIDA TLAIB

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2022

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of John 
Holloway, long-time resident and the City of Highland Park, Michigan's 
first African-American police officer.
  Born in 1932 in Camp Hill, Alabama, John Holloway spent his formative 
years in the south. He later moved to Michigan at the invitation of his 
family, where he attended Highland Park Junior College. In November of 
1953, he was drafted into the United States Army. After leaving the 
Army in 1955, John returned to Highland Park and was employed by the 
United States Postal Service. In 1961, he enlisted in the Air Force 
Reserves, stationed at Selfridge Air Force Base. He was honorably 
discharged in June of 1965.
  In 1956, John Holloway was hired as a patrolman with the Highland 
Park Police Department as the first African American officer in the 
city's history. During his thirty-eight-year tenure, Officer Holloway 
faced many obstacles, including blatant racism. He was one of the few 
officers who earned each rank by passing the civil service exams 
required for promotion, rising through the ranks as patrolman, 
corporal, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. In 1979, John 
was appointed as the city's first African American Chief of Police by 
Mayor Jesse Miller. He continued to serve until he retired from the 
department in 1994, holding the rank of Executive Captain.
  John Holloway was an active member of the Highland Park community. 
Outside of his public service as a police officer, he served on many 
civic organizations including as the first African American president 
of the Highland Park Goodfellows, the Highland Park Board of Education 
and the Highland Park Community College Board of Trustees for over 30 
years. He was an active member of the Highland Park Lions Club and the 
Association of Retired Highland Park Police and Firemen, where he 
served as president until his death. John Holloway loved spending time 
with his family and traveling. He was especially proud of earning his 
bachelor's degree from Mercy College of Detroit at the age of 44.
  Please join me in in recognizing his many contributions to Michigan 
13th District Strong as we mourn his loss.

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