[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 156 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5723-S5724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Tribute to Shea Woodard Hall

  Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I rise today to give tribute to a great 
American, a great Texan, a dear friend, and a 26-year veteran of this 
institution who has dedicated her career to serving the needs of her 
fellow citizens. Her name is Shea Woodard Hall. Shea has worked as the 
West Texas regional director on my team for 7 years. She is now 
retiring. Shea started working in the Senate in 1993, when she was 
hired by my predecessor, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
  As West Texas regional director, Shea started with 89 counties in her 
region. By land area, that is bigger than some States. She could leave 
her office in Abilene, drive 7 hours north, and still be in her region. 
That is how much territory she was responsible for.
  Shea has always been willing to go the extra mile, literally. In her 
first 3 years working in the Senate, Shea put 75,000 miles on her car. 
In fact, she has put so many miles on her vehicles throughout the last 
26 years that it is probably for the best that she married a local car 
dealer in Abilene.
  After 26 years serving 89 counties in West Texas, everyone knows 
Shea, and Shea knows everyone. From every mayor, to every county judge 
and sheriff, to every State elected official, Shea made it a point to 
know them all. In fact, when I traveled with Shea in West Texas, we 
would arrive at an event, and there was no doubt who folks were happy 
to see--me or Shea, and it sure wasn't me.
  Shea is also known in West Texas for her rural tours. They are 
legendary. You see, Shea's region is diverse. It spans from Amarillo, 
to Lubbock, to Abilene, to San Angelo, to Big Spring, to Midland-
Odessa.
  On the last tour she planned, an ag tour, we started in Lubbock, with 
stops in Muleshoe, Fredonia, Dalhart, and Amarillo. If you know Texas, 
that is one heck of a big loop. On one of the stops, I asked Shea what 
we would be seeing that day, and she answered: ``Strippers.'' I was 
fairly puzzled with

[[Page S5724]]

that response, and she quickly clarified: ``Cotton strippers.'' I was 
relieved.
  There are too many stories of Shea helping people in West Texas, but 
one of my favorite stories is about how Shea helped to bring the B-1 
bomber to Texas. When the city of Abilene and Dyess Air Force Base were 
working to secure low-level training routes for the B-1 bomber, Shea 
received some questions and some concerns from local ranchers who were 
afraid that the noise would upset their cattle. Always the steady hand, 
Shea responded with some West Texas wisdom. She would tell them that 
the low-level training routes were good for our national security; that 
they would enhance Dyess Air Force Base as the premier B-1 base in the 
country; and finally, she would tell them that she hadn't received a 
single phone call from a cow protesting the noise. I am proud to say 
that because of her efforts and many others, those training routes 
remain, and today Texas is one of the homes of the B-1 bomber.
  Shea has become a living legend in West Texas because no problem is 
too big and no problem is too small. She wants to help anyone and 
everyone who calls her with an issue. She often helps people in 
stressful situations, navigating the leviathan of Big Government on 
behalf of fellow Texans in their time of need. Shea also doesn't take 
no for an answer. If she didn't get the answer she needed to help a 
fellow Texan, she didn't give up.
  She has been a tireless and effective member of our team. That is her 
legacy, and I know it will endure.
  Shea is retiring next month. While we will miss her greatly, she will 
remain a friend, and she will remain family. We wish her well as she 
begins her well-earned retirement. The Senate, the people of Texas, and 
the thousands of people and families whom she has helped over the 
course of 26 years of service will miss her too.
  Thank you, Shea, for your work, your determination, your passion, 
your patriotism, and your love for Texas. Texas says thank you.
  God bless you.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.