[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15705]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING ROBERT S. EDWARDS, JR.

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the life of Robert S. 
``Bob'' Edwards, Jr. Bob was an Army veteran, a successful businessman, 
a community leader, a friend, and an inspiration to us all.
  Bob was an advisor with AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company and 
before that a successful textile executive.
  Among his many business accomplishments, Bob received the Equitable's 
Centurion Award and several Legion of Honor President's Cabinet Awards. 
He also received recognition as Associate of the Year and as the 
agency's representative to the national agents. Bob was also honored 
with the Equitable's Community Leadership Award twice.
  A compassionate community leader, Bob served as chairman of the Board 
of the Freestore Foodbank and founded its most popular fundraiser, the 
Rubber Duck Regatta. Proceeds from this fundraiser have provided 
millions of meals to Cincinnatians in need. This past August, the 
Freestore Foodbank hosted the 20th Annual Rubber Duck Regatta. To 
celebrate this milestone, Bob set the ambitious goal of raising $1 
million dollars, which equates to approximately 3 million meals for 
hungry children and families. With Bob's leadership, that goal was 
reached.
  In 2002 Bob received the Bengals Community Quarterback Award, the NFL 
league-wide volunteer recognition program, and in 2006 he received the 
Volunteer of the Year Award from Feeding America. Bob also served as 
president of the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America and founded 
the Council's United Food and Clothing Drive, serving as its general 
chairman for 2 years. He was awarded the Silver Beaver from the Boy 
Scouts and the Outstanding Citizenship Award from the United Way of 
Greater Cincinnati.
  In 2010, Bob received the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Jefferson Award, 
the Nobel Prize for public service honoring community and public 
volunteerism in America. Bob was a graduate of Marietta College, and in 
2011 he was added to Marietta College's prestigious Hall of Honor. He 
was also an active member of the Armstrong Chapel United Methodist 
Church.
  Bob Edwards was a source of inspiration and he touched the lives of 
so many people throughout southwest Ohio. His extraordinary legacy 
lives on, and the impact he made in and around Cincinnati will serve as 
an example to many. He will be missed, but he will not be forgotten.

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