Miriam's son, Eric, is quite the accomplished man. A Columbia Law School graduate and former judge he was known as Judge Hold 'Em by defense attorneys for his refusal to allow bail for clients accused of violent crimes. His appointment in the D.C. Superior Court put him on the front line of the battle against drug and gang violence in our nation's capital. His reputation was one of more leniency for criminals who accepted responsibility for their crimes. Defendants who were found guilty often found the maximum penalty. Eric Holder, Jr. is our new Attorney General. His brother, Billy, is no slacker either. Billy Holder is a New York City Port Authority Officer.
How does a mother raise two boys like these? A Time magazine article about Eric Holder gives a few clues in quotes from his mother. He grew up in Queens, NY where pulling the fire alarm was a common teen prank. Nearly everyone did it but not Eric, the churchgoing Boy Scout who knew the consequence of disobeying rules: "A good, quick smack on the bottom," his mother Miriam recall. "If you did something wrong, you're going to pay the price." Later in the article Miriam Holder is quoted as saying, "We taught them to help where you can and right the wrongs that you see." Sound advice.
Kathy
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