PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

Want to read a story of hope, persistence and Christian love?

Here’s one.

It is the story of Molly Holt, who, over many years in Korea helping orphans, earned the titles “The Mother Teresa of Korea” and the “Mother of all Korean Orphans.”

She was one of the children of Harry and Bertha Holt, Oregonians who made their life’s work rescuing orphaned children from Korea and bringing them to America to begin new lives.

The Holts’ work became Holt International Services, the largest adoption agency in the world today, which shows what can happen when good people get together to do good work.

Molly continued her parents’ work, usually from Korea, her primary residence for about 63 years.

She passed away last month and there was a memorial service for her Saturday in Eugene, which my wife, Nancy, attended because she grew up in Eugene and attended the same church as the Holts.

The Holt story began in the mid-1950s when Harry and Bertha saw a film about Amerasian children in Korean orphanages who were desperately in need of help. The couple sent money and clothes, but, to them, that didn’t feel like enough.

Then, they came to an inspired realization – those children needed families!

From on-line sources, I reviewed again what Harry and Bertha did. Here is some of what I read.

“Besides the money and clothes, Harry and Bertha decided to adopt eight Korean children but soon learned that it would be impossible unless they could pass both houses of Congress to pass a special law. ‘Then, that’s what we’ll do,” Bertha said, and she moved ahead on faith. The new law passed both the House and the Senate, due, at least in part, to the efforts of the late Senator Maurine Neuberger.

“The Holts’ adoption was revolutionary. Their example showed that a family’s love can transcend the barriers of race and nationality. At a time when adoption was regarding as something to be kept secret they adopted children who were obviously not their birth children. Though their deep Christian faith and fierce determination, they showed the world that adoption is a banner of love, not a badge of shame.

“Word spread and inspired people across the nation. Many inquired as to how they, too, could adopt. Only five months after he brought their first eight children home, Harry headed back to Korea to help other children gain families. The Holt International enterprise was officially incorporated in 1956, financed almost entirely by Harry and Bertha’s personal funds.

“When Harry passed away in 1964, many thought the Holt agency would simply fold up. But Bertha said, ‘This work was always God’s work. If he wants it to continue, it will.’ Her strength and faith persevered, and Holt continued to grow and meet the needs of an increasing number of homeless children.

“Bertha worked tirelessly on behalf of children in need until her death at age 96. She was affectionately known as ‘Grandma Holt’ to adoptive families and to the thousands of children around the world whose lives she changed.”

Harry and Bertha’s own children continued the Holt International work, including Molly from her base in Korea.

Molly worked primarily with special needs children, and her ongoing fight for their needs showed that those children were often adoptable — and much more.  Molly’s work and commitment actualyu changed South Korea’s attitude about special needs children who, over time, were both recognized and celebrated.

Their capabilities were recognized when the country held the Special Olympics, which included children Molly had helped get ready for the big event.

The record of Holt International continues to grow. Besides helping thousands of children overseas, the organization has placed nearly 40,000 children with adoptive families in this country.

Most of all, Holt International always has and will be driven by what is best for children. By upholding Harry and Bertha’s ethics – up-front and honest practices, and ongoing support of adoptive families and children – many more homes will be found for children who need them.

In Bertha’s words – words Molly lived by – “all children are beautiful when they are loved.”

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden recognized this when he sent a note for Molly’s memorial service, as well as read a eulogy on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

“Although she lived most of her live in Korea, all of us in Oregon consider Molly an exceptional Oregonian. She leaves a legacy of caring and compassion that will endure for generations to come. Her devotion orphaned children in Korea and around the world touched the lives of thousands of children and families and changed the hearts and minds of many more for the better.”

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[Footnote: The firm where I was a partner for more than 25 years, CFM Strategic Communication, lobbied in favor of a number of pro-adoption policies over the years. At several points, we represented Holt International, often on a pro-bono basis.]