Page 10 The Skanner April 6, 2016
News
World
OBITUARY: Edward Lee Holmes
cont’d from pg 9
cause they were not authorized to pub-
licly discuss the matter before the
White House announcement.
Researchers fear Zika causes micro-
cephaly, a serious birth defect in which
a baby’s head is too small, as well as
posing other threats to the children of
pregnant women infected with it.
President Barack Obama has asked
for about $1.9 billion in emergency
money to fight Zika but the request has
stalled in the GOP-controlled Congress.
Battle Between Religious
Issues and Gay Rights
Splits GOP States
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Repub-
lican lawmakers upset about the Su-
preme Court decision legalizing gay
marriage have advanced measures in
about a dozen states this year that
could strengthen protections for those
who refuse on religious grounds to
provide services to same-sex couples.
The bills could benefit court clerks,
photographers, florists, bakers, wed-
ding-hall operators and others who say
gay matrimony goes against their be-
liefs.
For a party already being torn apart
by the presidential contest, the state
legislative efforts have exposed deep
rifts between the GOP’s social conser-
vatives and its pro-business wing.
Business leaders worry that such mea-
sures will allow discrimination and
scare away companies and major
events.
So far, only a few proposals have be-
come law. Those include narrowly tai-
lored protections shielding Florida
clergy from having to perform same-
sex weddings and college religious or-
ganizations in Kansas from losing aid.
A far more sweeping one was signed
into law Tuesday by Mississippi Gov.
Phil Bryant, despite objections from
some major corporations. It creates a
religious shield from government pen-
alties for an array of people and orga-
nizations, including marriage-license
clerks, adoption agencies, counselors
and more than a dozen categories of
businesses that provide wedding-relat-
ed services. It applies not only to those
with religious beliefs about gay mar-
riage, but also to those who believe that
sex outside marriage is wrong and that
sexual identity is determined at birth.
Life Story, Movie Star
Father Lift Poe in
Philippines’ Race
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Her life
story could have come straight out of a
soap opera. As a newborn, Grace Poe
was abandoned in a Catholic church
and adopted by movie star parents, giv-
ing her a powerful narrative and name
that have helped catapult her to
front-runner in the Philippine presi-
dential race.
A political newcomer, elected to the
Senate just three years ago, Poe has
promised to cut taxes, fight crime and
offer free kindergarten-to-college edu-
cation for the poor. But it is the popu-
larity of her late father, regarded as the
king of Philippine movies, and her
humble beginnings that appeal to the
masses in this country where presi-
dents have traditionally come from the
landed gentry and political elite.
The 47-year-old candidate’s cam-
paign speeches are peppered with dia-
logues from the movies of her late fa-
ther Fernando Poe Jr., popularly
known as FPJ, who often played roles of
an underdog battling powerful oppo-
nents to champion the poor and op-
pressed. He too ran for president in
2004 but lost amid allegations he was
cheated in an election many viewed as
marked by fraud. He died months later,
unable to carry out his battles off the
screen.
May 12, 1949 - March 28, 2016
E
dividual’s ability
dward
Lee
to succeed and
Holmes,
loving
used his business
husband, respect-
as a way to support
ed business own-
that belief. Ed took
er, died peacefully in
great pride in cre-
the early morning
ating opportuni-
hours on Monday,
ties for African
March 28, 2016 at his
Americans
and
Gresham, OR home,
other minorities.
surrounded by family.
Ebony
Iron
Ed was born May 12,
Works, Inc was a
1949 in Shreveport,
multimillion dol-
LA to James Holmes
Edward Lee Holmes
lar, Black owned,
and Eunice Holmes né
Caldwell. He was the 7th child, with 6 award winning steel fabrication
older brothers and 2 sisters. He company. As President and CEO, Ed
leaves behind his loving wife Joy brought in projects that include the
Ann Holmes né Millhime, four chil- Rose Quarter, Mariners and Sea-
dren, 10 grandchildren, and one hawks Stadiums, PGE Park, Portland
International Airport Terminal Ex-
great grandchild on the way.
Edward graduated from Union pansion, Bonneville Power Admin-
High School in Shreveport, LA in istration, and the Flood Walls for the
1967 enlisting in the Army the fol- City of Portland that kept the Willa-
lowing year, spending most of 1969 mette River within its banks during
as a gunner on a Medical Evacuation the 1996 floods.
Ed was once called the “Man of
Unit in Vietnam. He flew more than
25 aerial missions over hostile terri- Steel” in a local newspaper article in
tory and was presented the Air Med- which he was quoted as saying, “...we
can shape our future as we wish it to
al of Honor.
After passing through the Pacific be.” He shaped not only the success
Northwest on his journey home of his own life but the success of
from the war, he moved his family to countless others.
Ed retired from the steel business
Portland, Ore. where he ultimately
found work in the steel fabrication in 2008 after purchasing the build-
ing that housed it. Through this en-
industry.
Over the course of 25 years he deavor he continues the legacy of a
would work his way up from laborer self-made, savvy businessman, al-
through the management ranks. He lowing his children and grandchil-
then decided it was time to own his dren continued prosperity.
Ed’s story is one of success brought
own business.
Ebony Iron Works, Inc. employed about by hard work, perseverance,
as many as 30 craftsmen and women dedication, leadership, and his gen-
from all walks of life. His business uine generosity of spirit. He will be
model included creating opportuni- lovingly remember as a loving hus-
ties to employ people transitioning band, loyal friend, consummate
from difficult circumstances. He did businessman, dedicated father, out-
not shy away from hiring those ex- standing grandfather (Papa), and a
periencing past prison time, addic- fearless leader in the community.
tion, health concerns and other life His legacy lives on in all who had the
good fortune of knowing him.
struggles.
Following an initial private ser-
Ebony Iron Works, Inc. was a place
where success was guaranteed vice, a memorial/celebration of life
through job training, living wages, will be held at a future date. In lieu
and the unwavering support of Ed of flowers, send donations to Kaiser
Holmes. He had a belief in every in- Permanente Hospice Program.
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