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