[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1067-E1068]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN MEMORY OF JUDGE DAVID W. DYER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of 
sadness and bereavement that I rise today in order to mark the passing 
of Judge David W. Dyer.
  Judge Dyer began his federal judicial career when he was appointed by 
President Kennedy to the bench of Florida's Southern District Court in 
1961. The following year he was named its Chief Judge. In 1966 he was 
appointed to the Circuit Court of Appeals, where he served until his 
retirement in December of 1997.
  Community leaders across South Florida are at a loss today because 
they have lost their leader, mentor, and role model. For many, Judge 
Dyer is nothing short of a hero. During a time of great national 
struggle, he consistently advocated and maintained that the 
Constitution guaranteed equality for all Americans--no matter what 
their race. To put it simply, he was Florida's most respected jurist.
  I would like to take a moment, Mr. Speaker, to share with my 
colleagues two of Judge Dyer's most important achievements. The first 
was his landmark decision to desegregate the restaurants which serve 
travelers on Florida's Turnpike. The second was his decision, while 
sitting on a three judge panel, to reapportion Florida's voting 
districts on the basis of ``one man, one vote.'' In both instances, he 
demonstrated his ability to do not only the right thing, but also the 
just thing.
  In April of last year, I had the high honor of introducing H.R. 1479 
to this body. Senator Bob Graham introduced companion legislation in 
the Senate. That legislation, which went on to become Public Law, 
renamed Miami's Federal Building and Courthouse in honor of Judge Dyer.
  Of course, Mr. Speaker I also rise today to mark the passing of a 
very dear and close friend. I do not think that it is very often in our 
lives that any of us are able to say that we had the privilege of 
knowing a `great man'. But, in this case I think that I am uniquely

[[Page E1068]]

blessed. During the time that we spent together, he demonstrated what 
it meant to defy racial stereotypes.
  His loss is not only a personal one, but one to the entire U.S. 
Judiciary. How long will it be until someone else with his compassion 
and understanding will grace our presence again? Mr. Speaker and my 
fellow colleagues, I ask you to join me in hoping that that day will be 
very, very soon.

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