HR 5

26LC 112 4268
     House Resolution 5EX
     By: Representatives Hugley of the 141st, Smith of the 138th, Buckner of the 137th, Reese of
     the 140th, and Rice of the 139th
                                A RESOLUTION
1 Honoring the life and memory of Benjamin A. Holden; and for other purposes.
2 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its distinguished citizens with the
3 passing of Benjamin A. Holden on June 10, 2026; and
4 WHEREAS, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, Benjamin A. Holden began his journalism
5 career at the age of 17 as a cub reporter for the sports department of the St. Louis
6 Post-Dispatch, demonstrating a remarkable talent that earned him a full scholarship from the
7 Pulitzer family to attend the University of Missouri; and
8 WHEREAS, throughout his decades-long career, he served as a Los Angeles–based reporter
9 for The Wall Street Journal and covered some of the nation's most significant legal and
10 public affairs stories, including the aftermath of the Rodney King beating trial, the O.J.
11 Simpson double murder case, and the murder trial of Snoop Dogg; and
12 WHEREAS, from 2004 until 2010, he served as executive editor of the Columbus
13 Ledger-Enquirer, providing thoughtful leadership during a transformative period for the
14 newspaper industry while strengthening the publication's role as a trusted source of news and
15 information for the citizens of the Chattahoochee Valley; and
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26LC 112 4268
16 WHEREAS, deeply committed to the preservation of democratic institutions and press
17 freedom, Benjamin A. Holden further served as director of the Donald W. Reynolds National
18 Center for the Courts & Media, where he worked to strengthen relationships between the
19 judiciary and the press and traveled internationally to provide training and guidance to
20 judges, prosecutors, and journalists seeking to build transparent and accountable systems of
21 government; and
22 WHEREAS, among his most enduring contributions was the founding of Columbus Scholars
23 Inc. in 2009, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting economically disadvantaged
24 students through mentoring relationships and scholarship opportunities, which has since
25 raised more than $1 million and assisted more than 100 students in pursuing higher education
26 and achieving their goals; and
27 WHEREAS, Benjamin A. Holden was united in love and marriage to his wife of 31 years,
28 Melanie Slaton, and he was blessed with a remarkable daughter, Joy Holden; and
29 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Benjamin A. Holden will long be
30 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
31 had the great fortune of knowing him.
32 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
33 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Benjamin A. Holden and
34 express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
35 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
36 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
37 family of Benjamin A. Holden.
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