Cass Ballenger facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cass Ballenger
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 10th district
In office November 4, 1986 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Jim Broyhill
Succeeded by	Patrick McHenry
Member of the North Carolina Senate
In office January 1, 1977 – November 4, 1986
Preceded by	Pleas Lackey
Succeeded by	Austin Allran
Constituency	23rd District (1977-1983) 26th District (1983-1986)
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 37th district
In office January 1, 1975 – January 1, 1977
Preceded by	Robert Quincy Beard G. Hunter Warlick
Succeeded by	Julius Reid Poovey
Personal details
Born	Thomas Cass Ballenger December 6, 1926 Hickory, North Carolina
Died	February 18, 2015(2015-02-18) (aged 88) Hickory, North Carolina
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Donna Ballenger

Thomas Cass Ballenger (born December 6, 1926 – died February 18, 2015) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. He represented North Carolina's 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. This district is in the foothills of North Carolina. He served there from 1986 to 2005.

Cass Ballenger's Life and Career

Cass Ballenger was a politician who served for a long time. He represented the 10th Congressional District of North Carolina. This was from 1986 to 2005.

Before becoming a politician, he started a company. It was called Plastic Packaging, Inc. This company made packaging materials. It had factories in Hickory and Forest City, North Carolina.

Ballenger served in public office for 38 years. He never lost an election! He worked at different levels of government:

• He was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1977 to 1986.
• He served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977.
• He was on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners from 1966 to 1974.

Leadership in Congress

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Ballenger was a leader. He was a Deputy Whip. This role helps make sure party members vote together. He was also on the House Steering Committee. This committee helps decide who serves on other committees.

He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council on the Arts. This group supports art in the country.

Focus on Business and Global Issues

During his time in Congress, Ballenger was known for his knowledge. He understood business issues very well. He was also an expert on foreign affairs. He focused especially on countries in Central and South America.

He served on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He also led the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. As chairman, he wrote a law to improve the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This law made OSHA less about punishment and more about working together. It was the first big change to OSHA rules since it started. This law helped make workplaces safer for everyone.

Key Laws and Projects

Ballenger created other important laws. One law made using needles safer for healthcare workers. Another law named Wilson Creek a Wild and Scenic River. This protects its natural beauty.

He also helped get money for big projects. He secured funding to finish US321. This road connects Hickory and Gastonia, North Carolina. He also started the Future Forward Economic Alliance. This group helps 11 counties in Western North Carolina grow their economy. Through this group, he helped create the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory. He also helped start the Hickory Metro Higher Education Center. This is now the Appalachian State University Center at Hickory.

Working with Other Countries

Ballenger also served on the International Relations Committee. He led the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. In this role, he worked to:

• Promote democracy and human rights.
• Fight poverty in developing countries.
• Improve relationships with countries in Central and South America.

The Ballenger Foundation

In 1990, Cass and his wife Donna started the Ballenger Foundation. They wanted to continue their charity work. They had been helping people in Central America for a long time.

Their efforts began after a big earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, in 1972. They built medical clinics in poor areas. They also supported an orphanage. They sent school furniture, textbooks, and other relief supplies. Their help continued for many decades.

Helping People in His District

Ballenger believed in helping the people he represented. He wrote a guide called "A Comprehensive Guide to Constituent Service." This guide helps new congressional staff learn how to assist people. It is still used today.

Work in North Carolina

Before Congress, Ballenger was a leader in North Carolina.

State Government

As a member of the North Carolina Senate, he was a Minority Leader. He introduced the "government in the Sunshine Act of 1976." This law was passed. It was the first important "Open Meetings" law in North Carolina. It made government meetings more open to the public.

He also wrote a law called the "Ridge Law." This law protects beautiful views in the North Carolina mountains. In 1981, he was named the Most Effective Republican Legislator. This was by the North Carolina Institute of Government.

Local Government

Ballenger also served as Chairman of the Catawba County, North Carolina, Board of Commissioners. In 1974, he was named North Carolina's County Commissioner of the Year.

During his time as a County Commissioner, two important places were created:

• Catawba Memorial Hospital (now Catawba Valley Medical Center).
• Catawba Valley Community College (formerly Catawba Valley Technical Institute).

Political and Community Involvement

Ballenger was very active in politics and his community.

• He was Chairman of the Catawba County Republican Party.
• He helped with the Jim Martin for Governor Steering Committee.
• He was a co-chairman for the North Carolina Reagan-Bush Campaign in 1984.
• He helped start the North Carolina Legislative Forum.

He was also involved in many community groups:

• Co-founder of the Community Ridge Day Care Center in Hickory.
• Chairman of the Greater Hickory United Fund.
• Board Chairman of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
• Director of the Greater Hickory Chamber of Commerce.
• Supporter of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Symphony, and Arts Society.

He also served on boards for Lenoir-Rhyne College, the Salvation Army, and the Florence Crittenton Home.

Early Life and Education

Cass Ballenger went to Episcopal High School. He then attended the University of North Carolina. He later earned a degree from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. While there, he joined the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

He served in the U.S. Naval Air Corps during World War II. He also volunteered as a Lay Reader for the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. He would travel to lead church services in places without a regular priest. He was a long-time active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hickory.

Retirement and Passing

Ballenger retired from Congress in 2004. Patrick T. McHenry took his place.

Cass Ballenger passed away on February 18, 2015. He was 88 years old.