Recognizing Gene Overholt's Service to the City of Plymouth and to the Nation

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Gene Overholt, a veteran of the Second World War and a longtime resident of Plymouth, Michigan, on the occasion of his passing. His service to the nation and dedication to his community over 99 years of life is worthy of commendation.

Gene was born in the small town of Bippus, Indiana in 1924, before moving to Huntington, Indiana. He and his wife, Jane, were childhood sweethearts and began dating at the age of 13. He joined the armed forces as soon as he was of age, where he was trained as a ``telephone man''. On the battlefield, Gene served by running communication channels, culminating in his participation in the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944/45.

He came home and began work at Michigan Bell, where he would spend the rest of his career. He and his wife Jane raised their three daughters in Plymouth, Michigan, and though he was done with his military service, his service to his community was just beginning. Gene was one of the founding members of the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Plymouth, and eventually was elected as the President of Kiwanis International in 1988-89. In 1962, Gene assisted in the creation of the Plymouth Salvation Army, where he served on the Board until his passing earlier this year. He also spent a decade on the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees and was eventually inducted into the Plymouth Hall of Fame. In honor of his three daughters, all of whom taught in the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Gene founded the Gene and Jane Overholt Educational Scholarship Foundation. This foundation, which gives scholarships to students going into the field of education or other service professions, will carry on Gene's legacy for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Gene Overholt's life of service to our country and to his community. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy of service will live on through his daughters, his foundation, and the indelible impression he has left upon his city. I thank Gene.

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