[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BERNARD WOODARD

 Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I celebrate the life and 
mourn the recent passing, of a great Texan, Thurmond Bernard Woodard. 
Mr. Woodard recently lost a courageous battle with cancer, a foe he had 
been battling since 2005.
  Born on January 9, 1949, in Ocala, FL, Thurmond Woodard learned the 
importance of family at an early age. His childhood and adolescence 
were marked by the qualities that would later endear him to all--strong 
will, strong character, and uncompromising integrity. He went on to 
earn a bachelor's degree in accounting from Hampton University and then 
embarked on a storied career in finance, marketing, sales, and human-
resources management.
  In October 2000, Woodard was serving as president and chief operating 
officer for Roosevelt Thomas Consulting and Training in Atlanta. In 
that role, he spent his days advising the company on the importance and 
necessity of integrating diversity within business strategies. 
Recognizing his talent and vision, Austin-based Dell Inc. decided to 
try and lure him away by offering him the job of vice president for 
global diversity and chief ethics, privacy, and compliance officer. 
Thankfully for Dell, he accepted the offer and never looked back. He 
held those positions until his death in April.
  Known for his dedication to creating cultures of dignity, respect, 
and inclusion, Thurmond promoted the importance of leadership through 
creating opportunity for all. ``We cannot resist change that is 
inevitable,'' he said. ``We have to get on board and help drive that 
change.''
  That eloquence earned him the admiration of his colleagues, including 
Dell's chief executive Michael Dell who said, ``His sensible counsel, 
generosity of spirit, tireless dedication, and optimism were 
appreciated and admired by all he touched. His passing leaves a void 
impossible to fill.''
  That void is seen not only at Dell but also in the many Texas 
communities in which he had a profound impact. Even in the difficult 
stages of his illness, he served as deacon and Sunday school teacher at 
the David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Austin. His work 
as a mentor and community activist was recognized last year when the 
Austin Area Urban League honored him with the Whitney M. Young Jr. 
Award for his efforts to promote diversity through the strengthening of 
business and community partnerships.
  Thurmond's impact could also be seen in our Nation's Capitol, where 
he served as a board member of the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation and was the key architect of the foundation's AVOICE virtual 
library on the history of African Americans in Congress. Other 
organizations that continue to benefit from his efforts and generosity 
in Washington include the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 
Center for Latino Leadership and Operation Hope's financial literacy 
center in Anacostia.
  Dell will honor his legacy of outreach by endowing a scholarship in 
his name for students of color and students from disadvantaged economic 
backgrounds around the world.
  Even though he was known for being an incredibly successful 
businessman and community leader, Thurmond was known first as an 
incredibly successful family man. A beloved father and husband, he 
leaves behind his wonderful wife of 37 years Suzanne, his children 
Michelynn and Derek, and countless friends. They recall with fondness 
Thurmond's love of humor, friendship, and the occasional round of golf.
  He lived life with vigor, passion, and unwavering optimism. And even 
though he has been called home to God, Thurmond's selflessness and 
decency will always serve to guide and inspire us all.
  Mr. President, please join me in celebrating the life of Thurmond 
Bernard Woodard.

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