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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BILLIE SUE HOGGARD
______
HON. ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD
of arkansas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Mr. CRAWFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of
my close friend Billie Sue Hoggard, who passed away on Sunday evening.
Billie Sue was a lifelong public servant, a political pioneer, and a
devout follower of the Lord. She brightened every room she entered, had
a wonderful sense of humor, and a truly unmistakable laugh.
Billie Sue was a nationally board-certified teacher. Generations of
students in Jonesboro, across five decades and four schools, were
blessed to find themselves in her classroom. She was selected for three
international teaching exchanges by the University of Arkansas at
Little Rock, teaching in China, Japan, and Mexico. Her passion for
teaching could not be extinguished--she came out of a well-deserved
retirement just a few years ago to go back to the classroom.
Billie Sue's service to her community extended to public office. She
was appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee as Justice of the Peace on the
Craighead County Quorum Court and as the Commissioner for the Arkansas
Educational Television Network. She was later elected by the people of
the county to continue her service on the Quorum Court. She was an
active member of many civil service organizations, including the
American Legion Auxiliary, Lion's Club, and countless education
advocacy groups.
Billie Sue was a groundbreaking pioneer of conservatism in Arkansas.
In the era of the ``yellow dog democrat,'' Billie Sue was unabashedly
Republican. She ran for State Representative in Northeast Arkansas as a
Republican at a time in which it was unheard of to do so. While she did
not win her election to state office, I believe it is safe to say that
without her, Eastern Arkansas would not be the conservative bastion it
is today. Under her leadership of the Craighead County Republican Party
from 2010 to 2018, the county flipped all legislative seats and well
over half of county wide offices. She was awarded the ``Hi, I'm Frank
White'' Award in 2017, the highest distinction given by the Arkansas
GOP.
Billie Sue was a living proof that with passion, tenacity, and a
tireless work ethic, an individual can accomplish anything. She put it
best when she said, ``I am personally convinced that one person can be
a change catalyst, a transformer in any situation, any organization.
Such an individual is yeast that can leaven an entire loaf. It requires
vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage, and faith
to be a transforming leader.''
I know today that Billie Sue Hoggard left this Earth proud of her
litany of accomplishments and the positive transformations she made in
Arkansas. Billie Sue is survived by her children, Tammy, Kayla, Jess,
and Tim, and grandchildren Meagan, Dane, Maxwell, Emma, Bella, Kate,
and Jesslyn. I ask Congress to join me in offering condolences to
Billie Sue's family, and commemorating the life and achievements of an
incredible leader and servant.
____________________