[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING BILLIE SUE HOGGARD

  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, our Nation functions thanks to the 
extraordinary devotion and patriotism of the American people. Every 
city, every county, every State, and every party has a few patriots who 
go above and beyond, dedicating their whole lives to making sure that 
our system works and that our way of life is preserved so that we can 
pass on our Republic as a precious inheritance to our children and our 
grandchildren.
  Billie Sue Hoggard was just such a patriot. She devoted her life to 
her neighbors and fellow citizens in Jonesboro in northeast Arkansas. 
Billie Sue went home to be with the Lord on Sunday at age 76.
  Billie Sue loved America, she loved Arkansas, she loved the 
Republican Party with all of her heart, and she devoted all of her 
energy to making them great.
  As a young child, sadly, Billie Sue knew the meaning of sacrifice. 
Her adoptive father was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge 
in World War II. Although they had not met, he kept her baby photo in 
his wallet. No doubt, he was proud to know the baby girl he adopted 
grew up to carry on his legacy of service to others. I bet he told her 
that on Sunday when they were reunited.
  Billie Sue worked as a teacher in northeast Arkansas for decades, 
helping young people grow up to become better citizens. Her career as 
an educator was just one part of her commitment to public service. She 
also served as a justice of the peace and the Republican Party 
committee chair for Craighead County, where she brought energy and joy 
and a little bit of feistiness to every meeting and every local 
gathering.
  Billie Sue was also a Republican well ahead of the pack, back in the 
day when many counties didn't even have committees and some counties 
could probably meet in a telephone booth. Her energy and commitment 
were instrumental in helping our party win the trust and support of our 
candidates in Jonesboro, in Craighead County, in northeast Arkansas, 
and all around our State. It is thanks in no small part to her efforts 
that Rick Crawford now represents northeast Arkansas in the House of 
Representatives, the first Republican to hold that seat since 
reconstruction.
  I met Billie Sue shortly after my election to the House. She 
encouraged me to run for the Senate. She promised to deliver Craighead 
County if I did, and I can tell you, she kept that promise and then 
some, as she always did.
  Of course, Billie Sue was most committed of all to her family. Her 
four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren were 
the loves of her life. In a fitting turn of fate, Billie Sue, the 
adopted daughter of a servicemember, served herself as guardian to two 
of her young granddaughters in her later years. She was in her 
seventies when she raised those two young girls. In an act of love, she 
stepped up for her family in its hour of need.
  Billy Sue's health declined over the last year of her life. We all 
know how the battles of illness can rob people we love of their 
vitality in their final days. But while cancer could ravage her body, 
it could never dampen Billy Sue's spirit. When I called her over this 
last year to check on her, I always heard the same energy and passion--
and, yes, feistiness--as she wanted to skip over quickly how she was 
doing and talk about the latest legislative battles here in Congress 
and political campaigns in Arkansas.
  Now Billie Sue has gone back to be with the Lord, but she is not 
forgotten. Arkansans will remember her as a local leader and a patriot 
who made her community and our State better through decades of tireless 
service. May she rest in peace.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cruz). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________