[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN JAMIE WHITTEN

                                 ______


                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in special tribute to the 
Honorable Jamie Whitten, who will retire as a Member of Congress after 
more than 53 years of dedicated service to the people of the 1st 
district of Mississippi. Chairman Whitten, the Dean of the Congress, 
served admirably as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for 13 
years. In this powerful and sometimes laborious position, he maintained 
the respect of Democrats and Republicans. Always working for the 
protection of our natural resources, Chairman Whitten's name became 
synonymous with agriculture, as he used his influence and unwavering 
commitment to advance the interests of rural America. One of his most 
significant contributions was the authorization of the Farmers Home 
Administration to bring water systems, telephones, and other 
conveniences to rural America, which comprises 84 percent of the 
Nation's land area. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I 
appreciated his strong leadership and sense of fairness that have 
established him as a man of unquestionable personal integrity and 
dependability.
  Chairman Whitten has always been a unique individual. He finished 
high school in 3 years, and studied at both the literary and law 
departments of the University of Mississippi. He served as a school 
principal for 1 year before being admitted to the Mississippi State Bar 
with the highest average in 1932. After joining the law firm of Denman, 
Breland, and Whitten as the junior partner, Chairman Whitten was 
elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. At the age of 23, 
Chairman Whitten became district attorney of the 17th District of 
Mississippi, and was twice re-elected to this post. The Chairman has 
represented the 1st District of Mississippi since 1941, when he won a 
special election to the 77th.
  During President Eisenhower's Presidency, Chairman Whitten helped re-
establish the right of Congress to initiate public works projects. He 
has supported flood control projects, highway and navigation projects, 
the disaster relief efforts, and irrigation programs. More recently he 
was champion for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which is bringing 
new opportunities for industries, recreation, and tourism to the scenic 
region of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
  Chairman Whitten is a proud member of the Charleston Presbyterian 
Church, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and the Masonic Order. He also 
belongs to the Omicron Delta Kappa, the Phi Alpha Delta, and the Beta 
Theta Pi fraternities. He has earned such prestigious honors as Watch 
Dog of the Treasury, Minute Man Hall of Fame, the REA National Award, 
the American Legion Award, the Extension Service Award, various 4-H and 
FFA honors, and many other citations.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the House of Representatives in 
acknowledging the many contributions and the exceptional leadership of 
Congressman Jamie Whitten. I join his children, Beverly Rebecca and 
James Lloyd, Jr.; and a host of family, friends, and colleagues in 
applauding his accomplishments and wishing him continued happiness in 
the future.

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