[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6152-H6153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DAVID HOBSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Turner) for 30 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable man. Dave 
Hobson was a beloved friend and leader. His life was marked by service, 
commitment, and an unyielding dedication to his country.
  I saw firsthand how much Dave loved Ohio and the Miami Valley during 
our time together in the House of Representatives. Whether he was 
advocating for veterans or working to strengthen our national defense, 
Dave's efforts were always driven by a love for his country and a 
commitment to improve the lives of others.
  The impact of Dave's legacy is felt across Ohio's 10th Congressional 
District, particularly at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where the 
street Hobson Way is named in his honor and at Clark State College, 
which named its Beaver Creek Center, Dave Hobson Hall.
  Dave believed that public office was a sacred trust, and he upheld 
that trust with every action he took. Beyond his remarkable political 
career, Dave was a devoted family man, a mentor, and a friend.
  Dave was grateful, and we are grateful for his life, the life he 
lived, and the legacy that he left behind. He will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I now recognize my friend and colleague, the dean of the 
Ohio delegation, Ms. Kaptur.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with a very grateful, but heavy 
heart, along with all of our Ohio colleagues and those beyond Ohio as 
we honor the life and memory of our distinguished and affable former 
Ohio colleague, Congressman David Hobson.
  Dave passed away on the 6th of October, 2024, having served in our 
people's House from 1991 to 2009, but he first sharpened his spurs in 
the Ohio Senate serving from 1982 to 1991. Dave was a true patriot, and 
a fine public servant first.
  His lifetime of service to the people of greater Springfield and Ohio 
was marked by results and perseverance. Dave was a practical and 
visionary leader dedicated to accomplishing tangible results throughout 
his decades of generous public service. To his colleagues, he was a 
personal friend whose impact will be felt for generations.
  Dave embodied a joy of life and devoted his life to his family and 
serving America. His 18-year tenure in Congress was marked by his 
enthusiasm, remarkable perseverance, and relentless commitment to 
achieve results, including moving the needle forward for

[[Page H6153]]

energy independence for our Nation. He understood America's role in the 
world, as Congressman Turner has referenced.
  He rose to significant roles, including ranking member of the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and chair 
of the Subcommittee on Military Construction. He distinguished himself 
with unwavering dedication to the defense and sustainment of our 
country.
  Dave Hobson never forgot his roots in Ohio. What markedly set David 
apart was his precious ability to work across the aisle. This is a 
legacy other Members must learn from. He not only valued 
bipartisanship, he actually thrived on it, and it made his life and our 
work much more interesting and actually effective. We should look for 
more ways to find the big middle.

  David's achievements from the shores of Normandy to Springfield, 
Ohio's, betterment are a testament to his profound tenacity, legacy of 
service, and leadership.
  I shall miss his visits, both during when he served and when he 
retired from here, his generous counsel, his humor, and his knack for 
identifying new paths forward. He always had a new invention to bring 
in.
  David's wit and humor brought light to our discussions, and his 
insights were cutting edge. I, along with all our colleagues, will 
sorely miss his visits, his laughter, and his unceasing efforts to 
improve the living conditions for all Americans. He lived, I think, by 
the adage: You attract more butterflies with honey than with vinegar.
  Today, we all extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife, 
Carolyn, his children, Susan, Lynn, and Doug, his family, constituents, 
and friends.
  As we remember Congressman and Chairman David Hobson tonight, let us 
carry forward his exemplary spirit of service and dedication, and may 
his soul rest in eternal peace and may his legacy continue to inspire 
generations to come.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from Ohio, (Mr. 
Latta), who is also my friend.
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of our former 
colleague, friend, and fellow Ohioan, Congressman Dave Hobson.
  Before I talk about Dave's life of service, I think it is also 
important to reach out and talk about Dave himself. I don't think Dave 
had an enemy. I think Dave worked well with everyone, and I know that 
when people asked for assistance, he was always there.
  I also know this, that when I needed help, Dave was there to help me, 
and I can't ever say thank you enough. I always told Dave how much I 
appreciated what he did to help me.
  As has been mentioned, but I will mention again because I think it is 
important, Dave was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, received his bachelor of 
arts from Ohio Wesleyan University and law degree from the Ohio State 
University.
  Dave went on to serve honorably in the Ohio Air National Guard from 
1958 to 1963 and was also later inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of 
Fame.
  As my colleague had mentioned before, Dave served our men and women 
in uniform, served our veterans, and was always there to make sure that 
they received the help that they needed and the benefits that they 
deserved.
  Dave served as an Ohio State senator from 1982 to 1990, and then from 
there, began his service here in the United States House of 
Representatives from 1991 to 2009. He did dutifully serve the Ohio 
Seventh District.
  I know I was proud to call Dave a friend and a colleague. As we honor 
his life and legacy today, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the 
Hobson family.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. 
Aderholt), who is also my friend.
  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, this certainly is a great tribute to a 
great man. Of course, it is with a heavy heart that we stand here this 
evening on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, which, as 
you know, we have all stood with Dave on this floor many, many times.
  This evening, we come together to recognize his life, his legacy, and 
what Dave Hobson really meant to this institution. Serving alongside 
Dave Hobson on the Appropriations Committee, I saw firsthand that he 
was a hard worker. He was a problem solver, but more than that, we 
developed a friendship that we maintained even after he retired from 
Congress.
  Dave showed everyone the best of Ohio, but his service was not only 
to his State but also to this Nation. That dedication will touch 
generations, in my opinion, for many years to come.
  I have fond memories of serving with Dave on the Appropriations 
Committee. As a new member, I was on the subcommittee that he chaired. 
That was the Military Construction Subcommittee of Appropriations.
  While Dave was the chairman and while he led the committee, as a new 
member I got to serve as his vice chair. Of course, that doesn't mean a 
whole lot because Dave called the shots, as you know Dave. He, of 
course, obviously, valued my input as he did everyone on the Committee.
  During our time at MILCON there on the Appropriations Committee, I 
think we did a lot of good things for the soldiers around the world. I 
had a chance to meet with a lot of soldiers during that time.
  As we work through this loss, I think about his wife, Carolyn, who my 
wife, Caroline, and I got to know well during the time that they were 
in Washington. Of course, our heart goes out to not only Carolyn, but 
also to the entire family, the children, and so many of his 
grandchildren and family that, unfortunately, I never had a chance to 
meet, but I know that he talked about them quite extensively when he 
was here in Washington.
  As I say, as we work through this loss, we can take comfort in the 
words of Matthew 5:4, which says: Blessed are those who mourn, for they 
will be comforted.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Aderholt and all of 
our colleagues who joined together to remember our dear friend and 
former Member of this body, Congressman Dave Hobson.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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