[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11888]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO HENRY D. MOODY, A DEDICATED ALABAMA PUBLIC SERVANT

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of Mr. 
Henry Moody, a dedicated civil servant from Alabama, who passed on 
April 26, 2004.
  Born on April 1, 1932, in Jemison, AL, to Henry and Mattie Moody, 
Henry was one of 13 children. He was raised on the Moody Farm in 
Jemison, attended Jemison High School and Auburn University. Upon 
graduating from college, he enlisted in the military and went on to 
receive many honors.
  Following Henry's military service, he began work at the Department 
of Veterans Affairs in Montgomery, AL, where he dedicated 36 years of 
his life. He served in a number of capacities including loan examiner 
and appraiser and chief appraiser with the Construction and Valuation 
Service. In 1976, he was appointed to assistant loan guaranty officer, 
and in 1982, he became loan guaranty officer. Henry served this 
position with dedication and commitment, and was regarded as a top loan 
guaranty officer in the country.
  There are few people in this world who dedicate so much of themselves 
to their work. Everyday, Henry Moody remembered the mission of his 
job--to provide quality housing for all veterans. Despite his numerous 
accomplishments, Henry retained a humble spirit. He always banked a 
person's character and not just their worth, and wanted every person 
who came into his office to leave with a good experience. He never 
allowed his office staff to use the excuse, ``the computers are not 
working.'' If that was the case, Henry would find the files himself 
since many families had driven for miles to see him. His favorite part 
of working at the VA was that every day was different, providing him 
with new challenges, and with new people to meet. Everyone who came in 
contact with him was encouraged by his smile and his helpful spirit.
  Henry was recognized for his dedication and devotion to his job with 
many honors including induction into Home Builders Association of 
Alabama's, HBAA, prestigious Alabama Building Industry Hall of Fame in 
1990. Additionally, former Alabama Governor Fob James proclaimed July 
3, 1995, as ``Henry Moody Day.'' Both awards were a fitting tribute for 
Henry's commitment to providing quality housing to our country's 
veterans.
  Henry Moody will be remembered as a pioneer who served as an example 
for others. He made an impact on all who had the pleasure of meeting 
and knowing him. He lived by two important phrases, ``This too shall 
pass,'' and ``God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot 
change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the 
difference.'' Alabama is certainly a better place for having Henry 
Moody as one of our own. He will be greatly missed.

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