[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING VADA SHEID

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that 
today I honor one of the true pioneers for women in Arkansas, Vada Webb 
Sheid, who passed away this past Monday. Mrs. Sheid was a remarkable 
woman who was an enterprising entrepreneur and built a business, 
Sheid's Furniture Company, with her husband Carl in Mountain Home.
  But Mrs. Sheid is best remembered as a dedicated public servant who 
became the first woman in Arkansas to serve in both the Arkansas House 
of Representatives and Senate.
  She began her public service at 19 years old when she became the 
Izard County welfare director. Soon after, she met Carl, and they 
opened the area's first self-serve food market in Mountain Home. During 
World War II, Carl was drafted in the Army, and Mrs. Sheid went to work 
as a payroll clerk for a company building the Norfork Dam. After the 
war, they opened up a grocery store before finally starting the Sheid's 
Furniture Company in 1957, which her family still runs today.
  It was around this time that Mrs. Sheid began to consider furthering 
her career in public service. She served as Baxter Country treasurer 
from 1960 to 1964 before being elected to the Arkansas House. As a 
State legislator, she focused on issues affecting the elderly and was 
asked by then-Governor Dale Bumpers to serve as a representative to the 
White House Conference on Aging.
  In 1976, Mrs. Sheid sought higher office and was elected to the 
Arkansas Senate. She served in that capacity until 1985. Shortly 
thereafter, then-Governor Bill Clinton appointed her to the Arkansas 
Police Commission, where she later served as chairman.
  Mrs. Sheid had many great accomplishments in the Arkansas 
Legislature. She sponsored legislation creating Arkansas State 
University-Mountain Home and North Arkansas Community College in 
Harrison. She also authored legislation to construct the twin bridges 
over Lake Norfork, as well as numerous highway projects.
  Mr. President, as a woman growing up in Arkansas, Vada Sheid was a 
true inspiration to me and many others. The example she set is one that 
I can only hope to follow. She will be missed by all Arkansans. At this 
time, my thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

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