[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17748-17749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE M. ADELA EADS

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to a 
distinguished public servant and friend, M. Adela Eads, who passed away 
on July 8 at the age of 83.
  For years, Dell Eads was an indispensable member of the Connecticut 
General Assembly. She served for 4 years in the State House of 
Representatives, and then for 20 years in the Senate, including 2 years 
as President Pro Tempore--the first woman ever to be elected to that 
office for a full term.
  If a casual observer walked onto the Senate floor in Hartford while 
Dell Eads was there, he might have been surprised to learn that the 
diminutive lady in the smart-looking suit and high heels was one of the 
chamber's most influential members. But for those 20 years, Dell Eads 
was indeed an imposing figure in Connecticut. She served her 
constituents, and her State, with commitment, distinction, and honor.
  Dell Eads' life was devoted to working for the public good. Nowhere 
was that more evident than in her commitment to Connecticut's children. 
Before becoming a legislator, she chaired the Kent Board of Education 
for 26 years. She later served on the Connecticut Board of Education as 
well.
  Many of her landmark legislative achievements were also devoted to 
helping children. Dell Eads was a chief architect of legislation which 
created our State's Office of the Child Advocate. Today, thanks to her 
efforts, there's an office in Connecticut's government where people 
fight for children who aren't able to fight for themselves.
  She also was integral in the passage of the Education Enhancement 
Act, which raised the pay of Connecticut's public school teachers. Dell 
Eads recognized that if we want our best and brightest to commit 
themselves to teaching our children, we need to commit ourselves to 
paying them fairly.
  Dell Eads always seemed to find the right balance of toughness and 
tact. In the political arena, where it's often hard to figure our 
exactly what people are saying, Dell Eads wasn't one to mince words. If 
she had something on her mind, you were going to hear it. But when she 
spoke, she did so with the courtesy, class, and congeniality that 
earned her the admiration and friendship of her colleagues.
  Though a Republican, she was respected by both Democrats and 
Republicans alike. She was loyal to her party--yet Dell Eads would 
never hesitate to reach across the aisle if there was work to be done.
  No one could question Dell Eads' commitment to the people of 
Connecticut. After all, this was a woman who, at the age of 76, slipped 
and broke

[[Page 17749]]

her collarbone--and reported to work at the State Capitol the very next 
day. And she continued to serve in the State Senate until she retired 
three years ago at the age of 80.
  Dell Eads was slight in stature, but she was great in spirit. Her 
service was an inspiration not only to her colleagues in the 
Connecticut General Assembly, but to all the people of Connecticut. Our 
state has truly lost a great citizen, and a remarkable person.
  I offer my most heartfelt sympathies to Dell Eads' two sons, Manuel 
and Gregory Eads, to her brother Manuel Diaz, to her five grandsons, 
and her entire family.

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