[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF JIMMY DON HUDSON

 Mr. BREAUX, Mr. President, on behalf of Senator Landrieu, I 
rise with great sorrow on the passing of Jimmy Don Hudson of Monroe, 
Louisiana. He was a friend to me, Senator Landrieu and all those who 
knew him.
  It has been said that Jimmy Don had a gift that made everyone think 
they were his best friend. A dedicated husband and father, Jimmy Don 
worked hard every day for the people of Monroe and the state of 
Louisiana.
  A tireless public servant, Jimmy Don served on numerous boards and 
commissions. He was president of the Tensas Basin Levee District. He 
also held leadership roles on, to name a few, the Monroe Chamber of 
Commerce, the Governor's Commission on Higher Education, the Monroe 
Downtown Economic Development District, the West Monroe Boys and Girls 
Club, the United Way of Northeast Louisiana and the Ouachita Council on 
Aging.
  Jimmy Don also served his country in the Vietnam War. As a helicopter 
pilot, he logged more than 1,000 hours of flight time while making sure 
both wounded and able-bodied American soldiers were out of harm's way. 
After his tour of duty, Jimmy Don continued his military service in the 
Army National Guard until 1996, logging an additional 2,800 hours of 
seat time.
  Mr. President, some say the best people die at an early age. This is 
certainly true in Jimmy Don's case. Although he only spent 52 years 
with us on this earth, his legacy will live forever. Senator Landrieu 
and I extend our condolences to his wife Pam, and sons Brandon and 
Gabe. Jimmy Don will be sorely missed.
  I have attached an editorial written by Keith Prince of the Monroe 
(La.) News-Star that describes Jimmy Don well, and request it be 
included following my statement.

                   [From the Monroe (La.) News-Star]

                           (By Keith Prince)

       Hudson Was Able To Make Everyone Feel Like His Best Friend

       It's never easy to say goodbye.
       It is even more difficult when it is someone in the prime 
     of life, at the very pinnacle of his professional and 
     personal life.
       Jimmy Don Hudson fits that description perfectly.
       Why his heart failed last Saturday night while in 
     Washington, D.C., attending Mardi Gras festivities is 
     unknown. An avid pilot, Hudson had passed a flight physical 
     exam just two weeks ago.
       All we do know today is that countless friends feel a very 
     real loss and have his wife, Pam, and sons, Brandon and Gabe, 
     in their thoughts and prayers.
       There's a lot of great qualities that we will all remember 
     about Jimmy Don, but the list should start with the 
     tremendous dedication he had for his family. He spent a lot 
     of time with his sons and it shows, said longtime friend 
     George Luffey.
       The uniqueness of this man is his rare ability to easily 
     handle the boundary of business associate-friend that some 
     people never figure out.
       Jimmy Don was capable of being both a very effective and 
     successful ambassador for BellSouth and at the same time make 
     everyone he knew feel special.
       The comment Sunday by State Rep. Francis Thompson summed up 
     Jimmy Don perfectly. He had that gift of making everyone 
     think they were his best friend.
       Personally, anytime we visited I walked away feeling 
     better. He was always positive, uplifting and you had no 
     doubt he was interested in you and what you had going on.
       Very unassuming, Hudson had moved steadily up the ranks in 
     the corporate world of BellSouth, and I suspect that the 
     company long ago recognized the same qualities that all the 
     rest of us grew to appreciate in this man.
       He began at what was then South Central Bell working 
     summers in the coin department while a student at Northeast 
     Louisiana State College.
       Except for a highly decorated tour of duty with the Army 
     during the Vietnam War, Hudson never left the telephone 
     company and next month would have marked his 28th year there.
       Linda Williams had worked with Jimmy Don in the public 
     relations office at BellSouth since he moved into that 
     department in 1985, and she doesn't remember a bad moment.
       He was very kind-hearted and wonderful to work with. He was 
     always trying to help others and never sought out any 
     recognition for it. He loved life and I think he made a real 
     difference in the lives of many in our community.
       Hudson also made a major difference for many wounded 
     American soldiers during the Vietnam War. After going through 
     ROTC at the college and graduating in 1969, he entered the 
     Army as a second lieutenant and later served as an aviation 
     platoon leader and helicopter pilot in Vietnam. One of his 
     assignments was to rescue U.S. soldiers downed in the field.
       He wouldn't talk much about that, but I understand he had 
     over 1,000 combat hours and was one of the best helicopter 
     pilots over there, said Luffey.
       Of course, it is impossible to characterize Jimmy Don 
     Hudson without recalling his sense of humor. He was the 
     master of come-backs, said Luffey. You might think you had 
     him pinned down with a comment but he was always able to get 
     in the last word.
       One of Hudson's lifelong friendships began when, as a high 
     school student, he worked for Jackie Neal, then the director 
     of parks and recreation for the city of Monroe.
       He did whatever we needed--mow grass, line off the fields, 
     umpire a little. He was something else. I've always said 
     Jimmy Don is the only person I ever fired twice in one day. 
     First he and Petey Smith got two trucks stuck, and later I 
     needed him and finally found him playing basketball at one of 
     the recreation centers, Neal recalled.
       Later Neal and Hudson officiated football games together 
     for 10 years. We finally gave that up, and he began playing 
     golf in his spare time. He's been like a little brother to 
     me. We talked on the phone or saw each other often. Any time 
     I've ever been sick, Jimmy Don would call every day.
       I can't tell you how much I will miss him, added Neal.
       And, so will everyone else lucky enough to have known Jimmy 
     Don Hudson.

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