[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E51-E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LEGACY OF THE HONORABLE JOHN C. HOLSTEIN OF SPRINGFIELD, 
                                MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC BURLISON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 21, 2025

  Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the 
late Judge John Charles Holstein of Springfield, Missouri, who passed 
away recently at the age of 79.
  A native of Springfield, Judge Holstein was born on January 10, 1945, 
to the late Wanda

[[Page E52]]

and Earl Holstein. He and his brother, Dr. David Holstein, were raised 
to value education and were both instilled with a strong sense of 
faith, justice and service.
  Judge Holstein graduated from Parkview High School and went on to 
earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Southwest Missouri 
State University. He subsequently received his law degree from the 
University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Laws degree from the 
University of Virginia.
  Following a successful law career in private practice, Judge Holstein 
started his judicial career as a probate judge, moving on to be an 
associate circuit judge and then a circuit judge. He was appointed to 
the Missouri Court of Appeals by then Gov. John Ashcroft in 1987. In 
1989, he was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court where he served as 
chief justice from 1995 to 1997. He retired from the court and returned 
to private practice in 2002 where he focused on mediation and 
arbitration.
  Judge Holstein's legal career and public service earned him many 
awards and accolades. In addition, he served his country on active duty 
with the U.S. Army, Army Reserve and National Guard, retiring as a 
lieutenant colonel in 1997.
  Judge Holstein is survived by Mary, his wife of 57 years, and their 
three daughters, Robin Comacho and her spouse Jesse, Katy Link and her 
spouse Paul, and Erin Cutler and her spouse Michael. He also was a 
proud grandfather to 12 grandchildren.
  Judge Holstein's life was a testament to integrity, faith and 
service, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the 
community and the state. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________