[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 5, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3969-S3970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Remembering Alice Stewart

  Mr. CRUZ. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of a dear 
friend, Alice Stewart. Her sudden passing last month was a profound 
loss to all who knew her. Alice was far too young with so much more to 
give in the world.
  Alice began her career as a reporter in Georgia and eventually moved 
to Little Rock, AR, where she was an anchor for the NBC affiliate 
there. In 2008, she served as Mike Huckabee's communications director 
during his Presidential run. Then she later advised Michelle Bachmann 
and Rick Santorum during their Presidential runs. In 2016, Alice came 
to work for me during my run for President. I was very lucky to have 
her on my team.
  Alice fought passionately for me on the campaign trail. She was a joy 
to be around, always smiling, both personally and professionally. 
Politics can be a harsh arena, but Alice engaged with a light touch. 
She never lost her southern charm, her class, or her respect for 
others. She was one of the last few old-

[[Page S3970]]

school political operators who believed you can get along with anyone, 
regardless of political differences.
  It is telling that many, many former colleagues and friends of 
Alice's have echoed the very same sentiment about her, that she was 
unfailingly kind and a rare gem in the tumultuous world of politics.
  Alice and I remained friends after the Presidential run. This is a 
photo of the two of us when she came to my second swearing in here in 
the Senate in 2019.
  Not only was Alice a talented communicator, she also served as Deputy 
Secretary of State in Arkansas and became a resident fellow at 
Harvard's Institute of Politics, where she became a mentor for many 
students.
  In 2016, Alice became a CNN commentator. Now, CNN isn't always known 
as a friendly place for conservatives, to put it mildly. But Alice 
never backed down from what she believed in. Instead, she navigated 
disagreements with kindness, whether it was at CNN or in her role as a 
political contributor on NPR.
  If you knew Alice, you knew she was an avid runner. Another former 
communications director of mine and good friend, Cat Frazier, remembers 
the day that she met Alice on my Presidential campaign. Alice and my 
friend David Polyansky pulled her out into the freezing Iowa snow to go 
on a run with the two of them. That is how Cat got to know Alice, on a 
run in the bitter Iowa cold and snow. They also asked me to come on a 
run with them that morning. But it will not surprise you, Mr. 
President, I turned down that invitation. Alice and I had a lot in 
common, but running marathons was not one of them.
  As a runner, it was fitting that Alice also loved Hebrews 12, 
especially the verse:

       Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 
     fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

  Alice showed what it means to run the race well as a good and 
faithful servant. She has now finished her race, and she is today in 
the loving arms of her Creator.
  I was immensely proud to have Alice on my team. She was wonderful and 
talented and a good friend. She loved America fiercely. She lived every 
day to the fullest, and she will be deeply, deeply missed.
  Her absence is deeply felt by me, by Heidi, and by the entire Cruz 
team. I pray for God's comfort and His peace on her loved ones. May God 
bless the memory of Alice Stewart. She will be missed. I will miss her. 
God bless you, Alice.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted 
to speak for up to 5 minutes and Senator Cardin be permitted to speak 
for up to 5 minutes prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.