[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H408-H409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE RONALD V. DELLUMS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis of Illinois) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, last week many Members took the 
floor to pay tribute to Representative Ron Dellums. My schedule was 
such that I did not get an opportunity to do so at that time but I 
decided that I would come on this day so as not to miss the 
opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, to every man there is a way, a ways and a way, the high 
souls take the highway, and the low souls take the low. While on the 
misty flats all the rest drift to and fro. To every

[[Page H409]]

man there is a way, a ways and a way, and each man decideth each way 
his soul shall go.
  Such has been the life, career and work of the Representative Ron 
Dellums, who has served his family, community, country and, yes, the 
world with elegance and distinction. He has demonstrated courage and 
commitment and has been loyal to those causes which he deemed to be 
just. Ron has been an ambassador of democracy and a serious promoter of 
peace, recognizing and realizing the difficulty of its attainment.
  One of my colleagues recently said of Ron Dellums that he has made a 
difference. I agree with that assessment and go a step further. I say 
not only has Ron made a difference but he is different. Ron marches to 
the beat of a different drummer. He is a thoroughbred, a long-distance 
runner, tough and tenacious. He is certainly one of the best. He is in 
a class by himself.
  When describing Ron, some people like to refer to his stature. The 
young fellow on the block where I live says, ``He is tall like pine, 
black like crow, talk more noise than WVON radio.'' Ron reminds me of 
the words of Sir Issac Watts when he said, ``Were I so tall as to reach 
from poll to poll or grasp the ocean with my span; I must be measured 
by my soul, for the mind is the standard of the man.''
  Ron Dellums. What a mind, what a man. A creative, piercing, probing, 
incisive, thought-provoking, inspiring, charismatic, careful, 
considerate and deliberative mind. The mind to stand up when others sit 
down. The mind to act when others refuse to act. The mind to stand even 
when you stand alone, battered, bruised and scorned, but still 
standing. Standing on principle, standing tall and standing for the 
people.
  And so, Ron, as you leave to look after the needs of your family and 
pursue other endeavors, take with you the words of this Irish proverb, 
``May the roads rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your 
back, may the sun shine warmly upon your face, and until we meet again, 
may the good Lord hold you in the hollow of his hand.''
  A Luta Continua!

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