[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING RHEA K. HALE

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                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2021

  Mr. McEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor and recognize the late Rhea K. Hale, a constituent of mine, who 
devoted her career to protecting the environment and promoting 
sustainability.
  Ms. Hale's determination enabled her to forge an impressive career 
doing what she loved. She worked for IBM's Center for Environmentally 
Conscious Products, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 
American Forest, and Paper Association, and WestRock. She was a 
respected and well-known voice within the industry, as well as a 
recognized authority on issues related to public policy and 
sustainability.
  Ms. Hale had a talent for seeing possibilities, and the vision and 
persistence to bring them to life. She is remembered by her friends and 
colleagues not only as a passionate and determined advocate for 
bettering our planet, but also as a kind, thoughtful, caring, and 
unfailing friend.
  One of Ms. Hale's friends noted that ``If you walked into a room and 
Rhea was there, everything was better.'' Although our Commonwealth has 
lost a wonderful, intelligent person, we must reflect on her work and 
honor her legacy. Rhea will be deeply missed by her family, her 
friends, her colleagues, and all those whom she touched during her 
life.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing my 
deepest condolences to Ms. Hale's family, and in honoring her life's 
work.

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