[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF DR. DANIEL HOLSENBECK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding life and 
legacy of Dr. Daniel Holsenbeck, age 80, who passed away on December 5, 
2022. Dr. Holsenbeck, who was widely known as ``Dr. Dan'' was senior 
vice oresident emeritus at the University of Central Florida (UCF), 
where he worked for over 35 years. Dr. Dan touched the lives of 
countless individuals and left a lasting impression on the Central 
Florida community.
  Dr. Holsenbeck helped to foster deep relationships across the Central 
Florida community and across the State of Florida that propelled the 
university's rise in quality and reputation. He helped shape many of 
the big ideas that have transformed UCF into the place it is today, 
including championing the region's modeling and simulation industry and 
UCF's partnerships with the military. He was instrumental in securing 
state funding for UCF's main campus, the establishment of the College 
of Medicine, and the creation of the downtown Orlando UCF campus. As an 
instructor, he loved being in the classroom with students, helping to 
shape future public relations and government relations professionals.
  Dr. Holsenbeck reported to five UCF presidents before retiring in 
December 2019. His impact on UCF and throughout Central Florida will be 
felt for generations. In 1985, he was hired as associate vice president 
of government relations. He was promoted to vice president in 1993 and 
senior vice president in 2014. He served as senior counsel to the 
president in 2018 and 2019 and then was honored with the title of 
senior vice president emeritus.
  Dr. Holsenbeck is credited for establishing the UCF Legislative 
Scholars program, which has been described as the ``best program'' of 
its kind in Florida's State Capitol. Created 19 years ago, the program 
enables students to augment their academic learning by working full 
time in legislators' offices during the annual Florida legislative 
session. Since the program's inception, 220 scholars have learned the 
``ins and outs'' of Florida's legislative and public policy-making 
arena, learning directly from legislative staff, governmental agencies, 
and lobbying groups while gaining valuable governmental experience.
  Dr. Holsenbeck also served UCF presidents in numerous public 
relations and advisory capacities, including managing University 
Economic Development and Defense Transition Services. A former captain 
in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the Naval Air Warfare Center Training 
Systems Division named a Navy jet in his honor, in recognition of his 
dedication to growing the Modeling, Simulation and Training community.
  Dr. Holsenbeck was director of basic enlisted mathematics for the 
U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School from 1967 through 1969. He served as the 
principal civilian advisor on college and university teaching and 
testing for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, 
Florida. In that capacity, he conducted teaching seminars for all NROTC 
Navy and Marine instructors from 1971 to 1998. As a drilling reservist, 
he held four commands in Orlando and Montgomery, Alabama.
  Dr. Holsenbeck earned a Bachelor's in mathematics, with honors, from 
Auburn University, a Master's in education from Johns Hopkins 
University, and a Doctorate in higher education management systems from 
Florida State University. UCF awarded Dr. Holsenbeck an honorary 
Doctorate degree in 2019 in recognition of his distinguished service to 
the university and Central Florida, as well as the military.
  Before coming to UCF, Dr. Holsenbeck was associate vice president for 
development and alumni affairs at the University of South Florida, the 
director of university relations at Auburn University, and vice 
chancellor for development at Auburn University at Montgomery.
  Dr. Holsenbeck greatly appreciated the important role nonprofit 
organizations play in the community and volunteered his time generously 
on several boards. The Kids House of Seminole County was especially 
important to him for its dedication to prevent child abuse and provide 
support for child abuse victims and their families.
  He was active in local and national civic and professional 
organizations, including the Central Florida Partnership, the Economic 
Development Commission of Mid-Florida, the board of directors of Visit 
Orlando, the Orange County R&D Authority (chairman, 1999 to 2000) and 
the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Dr. Dan served on 
the CASE National Board of Trustees and was chairman of CASE's National 
Commission on Government Relations. He was chairman of the CASE 
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and 
American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on 
State Relations from 1996 to 1997. In 1999, Dr. Holsenbeck received the 
highest national recognition for his state relations activities, the 
Swede Johnson Award sponsored by CASE, NASULGC and AASCU. He has served 
on the Boards of Kids House of Seminole, Work Force Central Florida, 
the UCF Foundation, the National Center for Simulation, the UCF Alumni 
Association, and the Board of Visitors for the FAMU College of Law.
  Dr. Holsenbeck was blessed with a loving family whom he adored and 
admired. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joyce Clampitt, a former UCF 
administrator, and his daughter, Amy Clampitt-Holsenbeck, a board-
certified physician assistant and pediatric health specialist. He was 
preceded in death by his son Alan Clampitt-Holsenbeck.
  Dr. Holsenbeck leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and 
inspiration. Dr. Dan's positive outlook on life touched the lives of so 
many and made our community a better place. I am saddened by the loss 
of such a valuable member of the community and extend my heartfelt 
condolences to his family and friends.

                          ____________________