[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H303-H304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE RON DELLUMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Dixon) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a gentleman 
who is leaving this House on this weekend. It is the Honorable Ron 
Dellums from Oakland, California.
  Ron Dellums is a very unique person. We could see from the special 
orders last night that this gentleman, although he may have political 
differences with many in this House, became a friend to all in this 
House.
  He is unique in that few people can leave this House and say they 
have made a real contribution to the security of our country. Ron 
Dellums has fought diligently for the reduction of defense budgets and 
has won that battle.
  Few of us can say that we have done much to spread democracy around 
the world, but his diligence has been proved in Grenada, in Haiti and 
in South Africa that he has made his mark for democracy and to free all 
people.
  He is unique in that most Members of this House consider him a 
personal friend. We should be happy for Ron Dellums making the 
decision, for he leaves this House with good health and his integrity, 
and he leaves this House with a mark of pursuing justice for all 
people.
  So I say to you, Ron: Godspeed. You have made your mark here in 
Congress, and we know that you will continue to serve your country 
well.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my good friend and long-time 
colleague, Ron Dellums. Ron has served the people of California's Ninth 
Congressional District honorably, ably, and with great distinction. He 
is a powerful champion of the progressive cause who has been at the 
forefront of many important efforts--from dismantling apartheid to 
instituting humane social policy. At a time when debate in this body 
has become acrimonious and at times uncivil, the loss of Ron's 
thoughtful, respectful, calming presence will be widely felt. His voice 
in this chamber will be sorely missed by this member and this 
institution.
  A product of Oakland, CA, Ron Dellums is not only a prominent 
legislator, but an outstanding role model for the young people of his 
Northern California district. Ron rose to his present stature through 
hard work and dedication to his beliefs and goals. Following service in 
the U.S. Marine Corps, Ron attended Oakland City College where he 
received an associate of arts degree. Ron went on to earn a bachelor of 
arts degree at San Francisco State University and a master of social 
welfare degree at the University of California at Berkeley. Upon 
graduation from Berkeley, Ron embarked on a career in social work, job 
training, and community development. In 1967, he ran successfully for 
the Berkeley City Council, winning in his first foray into electoral 
politics. Three years later, in 1970, he was elected to the U.S. House 
of Representatives.
  Ron Dellums' tenure on the Armed Services--now National Security--
Committee is indicative of his rise in the House. Ron came to the House 
a strong and outspoken opponent of American involvement in Vietnam and 
has continued through 26 years to strongly advocate reduced defense 
spending. Ron saw governmental neglect of the educational, economic and 
health needs of the urban population as a significant threat to our 
national security. Twenty-two years later, Chairman Dellums was 
presiding over the full Armed Services Committee in the 103rd Congress.
  Some in this House were wary when Ron became Chairman of Armed 
Services, but he soon put those reservations to rest. He set an example 
for fairness from which all members can take a lesson.
  While his views on defense spending differed from many of his 
colleagues, Ron faithfully constructed and reported defense 
authorization bills that reflected the will of his committee and of the 
House.
  Ron's leadership in the effort to end apartheid in South Africa 
stands as just one of his numerous accomplishments during his 
distinguished House career. Starting in 1971, his first year in the 
House, Ron consistently introduced bills to impose economic sanctions 
on

[[Page H304]]

the brutally racist apartheid government of South Africa. Fifteen years 
later, in 1986, Congress enacted South African sanctions over President 
Reagan's veto. I am proud to have worked with my colleague toward that 
end, and again commend his leadership on the issue.
  Throughout his service in this body, Representative Ron Dellums has 
earned the respect, admiration, and friendship of many members on both 
sides of the aisle. He has witnessed great changes, in the world, the 
nation, and certainly in this institution. Despite these changes, he 
has remained steadfast and loyal to his beliefs that our nation must 
care for all of her citizens if she is to survive as a nation. His has 
been the moral conscience of a Congress that too often has lost sight 
of the impact of our policies on all of humankind. As he leaves this 
institution, he leaves us with a legacy and a mandate to continue our 
advocacy for peace and for the welfare of all our citizens. His 
contributions to the House of Representatives, through his intellect, 
dedication, integrity, and collegiality cannot be overstated. While I 
regret the loss of a distinguished colleague, I wish Ron Dellums great 
happiness and success in his future endeavors.


            Condolences to the Family of Dr. Thomas Kilgore

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, it is also my duty to inform the House that 
one of the outstanding clergymen in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Thomas 
Kilgore, passed away this morning. He served as the minister for the 
Second Baptist Church from 1963 to 1987. He was a confidant of Dr. 
Martin Luther King. We will miss his leadership in Los Angeles, and we 
send condolences to his family.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  (Mr. RUSH addressed the House. His remarks will appear hereafter in 
the Extensions of Remarks.)

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