[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2142-S2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF HENRY WOODS

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, if you consult any of the 
numerous Congressional directories that are published here in 
Washington, you will see that they all list six members of the Arkansas 
Congressional Delegation--two Senators and four House members. But for 
the past 25 years, there has been an unofficial seventh member of our 
delegation: a dynamic, hard-working, can-do staffer named Henry Woods. 
After two decades in the nation's capital, Henry is retiring, and the 
state of Arkansas is losing a Washington institution.
  Henry has helped one Congressman and three Senators from Arkansas to 
court and inform constituents, direct Arkansans to the assistance they 
need, provide intern opportunities for the state's young people, and 
stage events to advance his members' priorities at home and the state's 
interest in Washington. For the past 25 years, people

[[Page S2143]]

working in the state congressional delegation knew that if you wanted 
to launch an ambitious project and have it done well, you wanted Henry 
Woods to be in charge of it.
  His institutional memory is as incredible as it has been invaluable. 
It is not uncommon for him, at a moment's notice, to recall the name of 
a constituent's wife, the ages of their children and which schools they 
attend, which of his cousins serve in the State Legislature, and what 
civic groups he belongs to and who he supported in the last campaign. 
He can also cite zip code after zip code, not to mention phone prefixes 
for cities and towns across Arkansas.
  Over the years he has made many friends in the halls of the House and 
Senate, from the doorkeepers to the printing clerks, from the 
restaurant workers to the Rules Committee staffers who have all helped 
him accomplish things for the members and constituents. He has an 
amazing way of finding the people and the resources to accomplish any 
project he is given.
  Henry, a proud Hot Springs native, is legendary for his political 
savvy and quick wit. His fellow staffers often wondered why someone as 
busy as Henry was so willing to serve as driver for his employer 
whenever one was needed. After a while, they realized that those 
occasions gave Henry as much as a half-hour of interrupted access to 
the member, which he used to full effect. He has often been heard 
cautioning members and staffers alike that certain visitors waiting to 
see them ``may not be right, but they're convinced.'' Another popular 
Henry-ism has been an admonition to disgruntled staffers that they 
``can just get glad in the same clothes they got mad in.''
  Henry has set up and run intern programs that have easily helped more 
than 1,000 Arkansas students become familiar with the working of 
Congress and the federal government. His intern program has been so 
successful that it has been emulated by countless other congressional 
offices. Henry's interns never sat idly in the office waiting for the 
next tour, softball game or free reception. He made sure each one had 
the chance to work in a variety of capacities and learn a number of 
skills in the offices. It is not surprising that many of his interns 
have gone on to run for public office and serve in the state's leading 
corporations, commissions, and charitable organizations.
  In addition to his official efforts, he kept the Arkansas State 
Society and the University of Arkansas alumni society running 
efficiently for many years, working countless hours of his personal 
time to organize events ranging from the cherry blossom reception to 
football watch parties and trips to the horse races--all aimed at 
keeping Arkansans in Washington in touch.
  Several of his friends established an award in his name last year at 
his beloved University of Arkansas, where he served on the Board of 
Directors of the Alumni Association. A cash award will be given each 
year to a student who shows an interest in internships or government 
services. The award will be formally announced at the University on 
April 22.
  To put it briefly, no matter which office he was working in, Henry 
quickly became indispensable, a fact that was recognized by countless 
people both on and off the Hill as the following letters attest. Now he 
is leaving for sunnier climes in the southern-most point of the 
continental United States. We are going to miss him, and we are going 
to be poorer without him. We wish him well, and we want to let him know 
that the key will be under the doormat for him any time he wants to 
come back.
  Mr. President, I ask that the four letters regarding Henry Wood's 
retirement be printed in the Record.
  The letters follow:


                                              The White House,

                                Washington, DC, February 23, 1999.
     Henry Woods,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Henry: As you retire from your lifetime of public 
     service on Capitol Hill, I want to congratulate you and thank 
     you for your commitment, hard work, and generous leadership.
       In particular, I am so grateful for your efforts on behalf 
     of the people from our home state. The warm hospitality you 
     have provided to Arkansas visiting the Capitol throughout 
     these 25 years has given them a special feeling of 
     connectedness to their representatives here in Washington. 
     The guidance you have provided people of all ages--and 
     especially youth and students--leaves a wonderful legacy . . 
     . and big shoes to fill!
       Hillary joins me in sending our best wishes for all 
     possible happiness in this next phase of your life.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Clinton.
                                  ____

                                                February 22, 1999.
     Mr. Henry Woods,
     Office of Senator Lincoln, Washington, DC.
       Dear Henry: You came to Washington for a summer and stayed 
     a career! And what an illustrious career you've had working 
     in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
       You've held many positions during your tenure, and done a 
     superb job in each one. You developed an intern program that 
     has proved to be one of the best on Capitol Hill. Over the 
     years, you have been very involved with the Arkansas State 
     Society. Some would say, ``If it wasn't for Henry, there 
     wouldn't be a State Society.'' You've worked in more 
     campaigns than I have run. Your tent parties are legendary. 
     You helped coach the winning Capitol Hill softball team in 
     1982--the Pryorities. You are--the Razorbacks' biggest fan!
       Henry, how can we thank you for the tremendous contribution 
     you made to our state, our country--and to all of us.
       Barbara and the entire Pryor family join me in wishing you 
     the very best in the years ahead.
           Sincerely,
     David Pryor.
                                  ____



                                 Attorney General of Arkansas,

                               Little Rock, AR, February 19, 1999.
     Mr. Henry Woods,
     Office of Senator Lincoln, Washington, DC.
       Dear Henry: First let me add my congratulations to the many 
     I know you are receiving from friends and colleagues on 
     Capitol Hill as you retire from 25 years of government 
     service. I can't imagine the Arkansas delegation without 
     Henry. You have done so much for so many (including myself) 
     over the years, we cannot begin to properly thank you.
       I remember one of my early campaigns for the Arkansas State 
     Legislature. You took time off and came to Arkansas to help 
     organize a ``Get Out the Vote'' effort. You and your army of 
     ``intern alumni'' worked tirelessly to get me elected, and I 
     will never forget it.
       Henry, Capitol Hill will miss you--but not half as much as 
     Arkansas will miss you!
       I wish you all the best in your new life.
           With warm regards,
     Mark Pryor.
                                  ____

                               Little Rock, AR, February 11, 1999.
     Mr. Henry Woods,
     Senator Blanche Lincoln's Office,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Henry: I'm still in denial. I can't imagine Washington 
     without you, and if I could change your mind, I would do so 
     in a heartbeat.
       But knowing that's not possible, let me just say that 
     ``friends are friends forever'' and our friendship--which 
     began at the University of Arkansas and continues through 
     today--will always be special.
       I thank you for being so responsive to so many. I thank you 
     for designing and implementing the best intern program on 
     Capitol Hill. I thank you for giving so many Arkansas young 
     people the chance to participate.
       In just a few weeks, we will dedicate the ``Henry Woods 
     Award'' at the University of Arkansas. It has already been 
     endowed by your many friends and will be presented annually 
     to the outstanding student leader on the campus. From this 
     day forward, the most honorable student leader at your alma 
     mater will be recognized with an award bearing your name.
       Now, I have a new project for you. Certainly a book about 
     your experiences is in order. I hope you will consider it, 
     and I look forward to talking with you--and the University of 
     Arkansas Press--about it.
       Billie is already making Key West family vacation plans. 
     All the Rutherfords wish you much happiness and continued 
     success.
       Thank you for making Arkansas very proud.
           Best Wishes,
     Skip Rutherford.

                          ____________________