May 28, 2001 12:00 PM

SENATOR TOM HAYWOOD'S SON DIED LAST NIGHT

The following is the statement from the Haywood office:

Austin, Texas- Thomas Noel Haywood, 30, beloved son of Senator and Mrs. Tom Haywood, died Sunday around 7 p.m. following a lengthy illness.

Thomas had been admitted into Austin's Christopher House Hospice earlier this year for HIV-related lymphoma. Prior to his death, Thomas had proudly celebrated 11 months of sobriety, as well as a year he spent at the Texas Boys' Ranch near Lubbock.

Thomas was a member of First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls and an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Rider High School in Wichita Falls in 1989. After graduation, he worked for his father's consulting business and with his various campaign staffs since 1994.

Thomas is survived by a daughter, Kelsey; his parents, Tom and Pat; and three sisters, Jamie Ratliff, Elisa Green, and Denise Haywood.

Funeral arrangements are pending.