[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               DEDICATION OF THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING

                                 ______


                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 1994

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, one of Washington's historic 
buildings was joined with one of its favorite sons. The old District 
Building, cornerstone of the District government, was re-named the John 
A. Wilson Building after the former chair of the D.C. City Council, who 
died a year ago today.
  John Wilson was a major figure in post-Home Rule Washington. He 
enjoyed extraordinary respect and love and had unparalleled knowledge 
of the District of Columbia government. He is missed now more than 
ever. Because of his significance to local government, I am pleased to 
place in the Record my remarks made at today's dedication of the John 
A. Wilson Building.

       Never has a building been more aptly named than is the name 
     we place on the old District Building today. Few in our time 
     have spent more time or worked harder or made greater 
     contributions in this building and to this city than did John 
     A. Wilson. In renaming the building, however, those of us who 
     knew John well do not fool ourselves. We give this building 
     his name as much to console ourselves as to commemorate John.
       We miss him terribly, especially now. He left at the height 
     of his civic usefulness and personal power. He left when he 
     had given us his all but had more where that came from yet to 
     give.
       In a world of specialists in small things, John specialized 
     in the District. He drove himself until he made himself 
     master of its finances and operations. Awesomely 
     knowledgeable, he had a unique command of the District's 
     entire body and the smallest details of its civil organs. 
     Like a stern but wise physician John had an uncanny 
     understanding of how to prevent trouble. His predictions 
     nearly always came true. And if you got in trouble, here was 
     the doctor who would pull you back with a new lease on life.
       But if John was a miracle doctor, he was also a master 
     teacher. My old buddy from battles in the south showed me 
     that he had something to teach me about this city. If you 
     listened to John, you inevitably learned. But John told you 
     what you needed to know not what you wanted to hear. For 
     municipal students most comfortable with algebra, John 
     insisted on calculus.
       John's extraordinary grasp of the District was matched only 
     by the effectiveness of his leadership. The Wilson style was 
     a legendary component of this unique brand of leadership. 
     Here was a man who knew how to move men and women--or push 
     them, if necessary.
       In the process John showed what it meant to love 
     Washington. For him it meant not just bluntness but blunt 
     truth, not just knowledge but total knowledge, not just love, 
     but tough love.
       Today, as the District meets great challenges, renaming 
     this building for John must signify our optimism and 
     determination. John never met a District problem he could not 
     solve. That, more than this building, is his legacy.

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