[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 10, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S955-S956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       TRIBUTE TO PENROSE HOLLINS

 Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, today I rise to 
congratulate New Castle County Councilman Penrose Hollins for receiving 
the Order of the First State, the highest civilian honor awarded by the 
Governor of Delaware.
  Throughout his over 35 years of service representing District 4 of 
the New Castle County Council, Councilman Hollins has served the people 
of Wilmington, DE, with wisdom, intellect,

[[Page S956]]

grace, and deep moral clarity. A tireless champion for justice and 
opportunity, Councilman Hollins is a trailblazer for racial equality as 
the first African-American to serve as president pro tempore of the New 
Castle County Council. Throughout his time as a councilman, he has 
remained a central figure advocating for housing opportunities, 
including leading the establishment of the New Castle County Council 
Housing Committee. Widely known as a voice of reason and for his 
collaborative leadership, he has remained resolute in his march toward 
a healthier and safer New Castle County.
  Councilman Hollins is a pillar of his local community. He has 
dedicated his time and leadership to local organizations, including the 
Wilmington Hope Commission, Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA, and the 
Wilmington NAACP. A former Wilmington City councilman, he also served 
as the chair of the First District Democratic City Committee. 
Councilman Hollins has been a cornerstone of local political leadership 
for decades. Professionally, he enjoyed a successful 30-year career as 
a research technician at the DuPont Experimental Station. As a founding 
member of Canaan Baptist Church, current member of St. Paul's Baptist 
Church, and through attendance at Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist 
Church, he has remained committed to his faith and guided by a spirit 
of charity and service.
  A Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army, Councilman Hollins served his 
country honorably during two tours as a medic in Korea. He is a 
distinguished alumnus of Delaware Technical Community College and a 
member of the college's Hall of Fame. Councilman Hollins has been 
repeatedly recognized by the people of Delaware as the recipient of 
numerous community and civic awards, including Delaware State 
University's Outstanding Black Delawarean, the NAACP's Life Membership 
Appreciation Award, and Delaware State Education Association's 
Outstanding Achievements in Human and Civil Rights Award.
  Councilman Hollins' profound, lasting impact on the State of Delaware 
and its people exemplifies the spirit of the Order of the First State. 
I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Councilman Hollins 
on receiving Delaware's highest civilian honor.

                          ____________________