[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H5442-H5445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H5442]]
J.J. ``JAKE'' PICKLE FEDERAL BUILDING
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3223) to designate the Federal building located at 300 East 8th
Street in Austin, Texas, as the ``J.J. `Jake' Pickle Federal
Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3223
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.
The Federal building located at 300 East 8th Street in
Austin, Texas, shall be known and designated as the ``J.J.
`Jake' Pickle Federal Building''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the Federal building
referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to
the ``J.J. `Jake' Pickle Federal Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Kim) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim).
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Again this resolution designates the Federal building located in
Austin, Texas, as the J.J. Jake Pickle Federal Building. A former
colleague, Jake Pickle was a dedicated public servant who served his
constituents well during his career in this House which spanned over 30
years. He was born and raised in Texas and served in the United States
Navy during World War II. He was elected to fill a vacant congressional
seat in 1963 and was reelected to the seat for 15 successive
Congresses.
During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Pickle was a strong
advocate of civil rights issues and equal opportunities for women and
minorities. He sat as Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means'
Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Social Security. It is a
fitting honor for Congressman Pickle and the people he served.
I support this bill and urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Austin, Texas (Mr. Doggett), the new Congressman who
has done an outstanding job and whose persistence ensured that this
legislation and this honor is bestowed on Mr. Pickle.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, my thanks to the ranking member, my friend
and colleague from Ohio (Mr. Traficant), and to the chairman of the
committee for their favorable recommendation on this piece of
legislation. It is with the greatest pleasure that I authored and now
join in presenting this legislation as a tribute to the outstanding
public service of Jake Pickle by naming the Federal Building in Austin
in his honor.
For 31 years, from the time that I personally was a senior at Austin
High School with his daughter, Peggy, until the day I was sworn in as a
Congressman representing the same district here in this House in 1995,
Jake Pickle was the only Congressman who ever represented me, and he
did that and his representation for all of us in central Texas with the
very greatest distinction. For all but 3 of his 31 years in office, the
first 3, he officed on East Eighth Street in Austin, Texas, in the
building that will now bear his name.
This is not, of course, the first structure in our community to bear
his name. Our future in central Texas is already marked with the Pickle
Research Campus and Complex at the University of Texas, and I am sure
that this will not be the last such physical reminder of all that those
decades of service have meant to our neighbors there in the Travis
County and the broader central Texas area.
James Jerald ``Jake'' Pickle was born in 1913 up in Big Spring,
Texas, and a few years back I had the pleasure of attending one of his
many birthday parties and found that there must be something really
good up there in Big Springs in the springs because there were a number
of people that he went to public school there in Howard County with who
were there, and they brought the same degree of enthusiasm that I have
always seen in his work as our Congressman.
Jake went on to get his degree at the University of Texas in Austin
back in 1938 where he served as Student Body President. He later worked
as an area director for the National Youth Administration under
President Roosevelt, and he served 3\1/2\ years in the Navy, as was
mentioned, and I understand he even had a career as a night watchman
over here in the Cannon Office Building where he later officed.
Upon returning to Austin though after World War II, he worked in
radio at KVET in public relations. He served as the director of the
Texas State Democratic Executive Committee and as a member of the Texas
Employment Commission. It was from his position at TEC that he resigned
to run for Congress in 1963.
He has established himself throughout his career as someone who is
willing to stand up and be counted for what he believes in.
It was only a short time after he arrived here in Washington that he
faced the challenging decision, given the times, of whether to vote for
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and he joined five other Members from the
Southern States who voted for that legislation and still tells the tale
of getting the call at I believe it was about 2:00 in the morning from
President Johnson commending him on his support for the Civil Rights
Act, and he went on the next year to support the Voting Rights Act and
to continue his work on behalf of a broad range of people from our
community in having opportunities for all of us to participate and
share in the greatness of America. The service that he rendered was, of
course, closely related to the service of President Lyndon Johnson, and
President Johnson and of course still Lady Bird Johnson remain close
friends of Congressman Pickle.
Naming this building in Austin in Congressman Pickle's honor is
particularly important and appropriate because it was constructed
during President Johnson's administration and still has there President
Johnson's Texas apartment and office that he used during his
Presidency, and it is preserved today in about the same fashion that he
left it in 1973.
Jake has so many great stories that only he can tell in the
appropriate way about the Great Society, about President Johnson and
his work on that. All of it is really the stuff of political legend in
Texas. He stands certainly as one of the few remaining personal
historians of one have America's greatest Presidents.
Jake also distinguished himself, and I know others will speak of
this, in his work on the House Committee on Ways and Means. He served
as the Chair of the Committee on House Oversight where he focused on
issues concerning the Internal Revenue Service, concerning the Medicare
system and trying to be sure that waste and fraud were eliminated in
Medicare. He also served as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Social
Security back in the 98th Congress and is widely credited with
shepherding through major Social Security reform that extended the life
of the Social Security system.
But I think when folks back home in Texas think of him, they think
not of all of his many votes and important committee work here in
Congress, but they think of him as a person that, regardless of age,
they call and feel comfortable in calling ``Jake'' because he was there
when they had an individual problem or concern. His reputation for
effective and efficient constituent service and community involvement
is absolutely legendary. He set the highest standard for any Member of
Congress, certainly for me, to emulate.
Not only did he engage in tireless advocacy on behalf of his
constituents, he also deserves a reputation for giving selflessly of
his time and seemingly boundless energies for our community.
Recently Jake and his daughter Peggy Pickle have authored a book
about his life and reflections on his service here that many of our
Members have obtained. It is a book that contains many wonderful
anecdotes about Congress, LBJ and Texas politics, and it makes very
clear his philosophy. He not only felt that each of us have a
responsibility to one another, but that government has a responsibility
to each of us to be fair and to be compassionate. He viewed that
responsibility as both a duty and an honor, and while
[[Page H5443]]
he never took himself too seriously and always had that great sense of
humor that he brought to his work, he took this duty as a
representative of government very seriously indeed, and he still does.
These days, while Jake is retired from Congress, he is hardly
retiring, but he is working very hard there in Austin. He has continued
energetic involvement particularly in questions involving our
transportation system. He is invaluable. He continues to inspire us and
to provide great counsel to many of us who serve in public office.
Based on these and other accomplishments that are too numerous to
mention, I know that Congress will move promptly to name the Federal
Building in Austin in Jake's honor, and short of having the security
guards there pass out those plastic green pickles that all of us have
to everyone who enters, I cannot think of a more fitting way to remind
future generations of Texas how much he has really done for us. With 31
years of service to this community and to its people, J.J. ``Jake''
Pickle deserves nothing less than this very permanent memorial.
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton).
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on the words of
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) and talk a little bit about Mr.
Pickle.
I am honored to be able to stand here and endorse the naming of this
Federal Building in Houston in the name of J.J. ``Jake'' Pickle. As my
colleagues know, many times this is a now community, out of sight, out
of mind, because there is so much going on here. But it is not so with
Jake Pickle. He was a real hero.
He was, first of all, as others have said, a national hero, having
been a great member of the United States Navy during World War II;
certainly a congressional hero in terms of the legislation which he was
part of, passed, supported and also his work on the Committee on Ways
and Means.
I am not a resident of Austin, Texas, but I remember going down with
the Committee on Ways and Means, and Jake was our host, and he is a
real folk hero in that area. I can understand it, having known him and
worked with him, but one has to go down there to see it to appreciate
his association with that great community and the people in it.
Also, frankly, he is a personal hero. I worked with Jake in many
different ways. The one I think I remember best is working with him on
the Committee on Ways and Means and the Subcommittee on Oversight. The
Republicans at that point were in the minority, and I was the ranking
member on the minority side. That never bothered Jake. He never made a
decision, and he never sort of threw his leadership around without
checking with me. He did not have to, it was not necessary, but with
all the discussion of bipartisanship and civility, he represented it,
he lived it, he spoke it and was a wonderful, wonderful example to me.
So all I can say is, ``Jake, if you ever will read the record of this
proceedings, I love you, you're a great man, and you're a standard for
which this institution, all of us, strive to reach.''
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
{time} 1630
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from California and
the gentleman from Ohio both for their leadership. It may not seem that
these are the most crucial aspects of our legislative business, but to
each of these gentlemen, let me say that they make many people in our
respective States extremely happy and extremely pleased, and give honor
to those who deserve honor.
I am delighted to rise as a Texan to pay tribute to J.J. ``Jake''
Pickle. Many of you had the honor with serving with him, of which I did
not. But I bring a special perspective to this tribute to Jake, as he
is affectionately called, recognizing his service in World War II, but
also recognizing his battle in the war of civil rights.
I would not be standing here today, nor would my predecessors, the
esteemed and honorable Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland and Craig
Washington, for this seat was created after the passage of the 1965
Voter Rights Act. This was the first seat that elected an African
American to the United States Congress since reconstruction from the
State of Texas, and certainly the first seat that elected an African
American woman from the deep South to go to the United States Congress.
Do not let anyone tell you that this was an easy choice for Jake
Pickle; but for him it was the right choice, and he believed in what he
did, and he continued to believe in the equality and the freedom and
justice for all.
He was not on the Committee on the Judiciary, and as I noted, he was
from the deep State of Texas, the Yellow Rose State, and, for many,
that could have been the appropriate cover not to vote for any civil
rights during the time he did. But Jake Pickle saw the right way, and
he recognized the deep segregation in Texas and realized that it was
wrong.
Jake, I pay tribute to you, and I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Doggett) for his leadership on giving to Jake his flowers before his
end.
He is vibrant all right, and he is leading us in many different ways.
He was proud to be an American, proud to be a Texan, and, yes, he is
proud to be a Democrat. He served in the United States Congress for 31
years, and he took some very serious votes and did some great works as
a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. As a Congresswoman from
the 18th Congressional District, a district that is only one of two
that has elected an African American from the State of Texas, knowing
that we all are created equal, my special thanks to Jake for his vote
for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and his vote for the 1965 Voters Rights
Act.
While he was visiting the White House, as I close, he was meeting
with President Johnson and Jack Valenti, and Jack thanked him for his
vote on the 1964 Voter Rights Act, and he said, ``Mr. President
Johnson, well, it was a tough one, and I am sure glad that it is
over.''
President Johnson was listening, and he said ``Jake, that was a tough
vote, but you will be in Congress for another 20 years,'' and, of
course, as I said, Jake was in Congress for 31 years, ``and you will
probably have a civil rights vote every year from now on. We have just
started civil rights reform, and we are 200 years behind. We have a
long way to catch up. So don't think for a second you have got your
vote behind you.''
As usual, the President, President Johnson was right, and the fight
did go on. And I can assure you, our friend Jake was right there in the
midst and helped create for us many victories that declared that we all
are created equal and we all stand equal under the sun.
Thank you, Jake, and congratulations on this honor. I support this
legislation and look forward to seeing Jake in future years taking his
rightful place as one of our true American heroes.
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman).
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of
naming the Federal building in Austin, Texas, after our good colleague,
former colleague, Jake Pickle, who we honored in Washington very
recently; not only a veteran in our military, but a veteran in the
House, and did so much for so many, particularly for our seniors. It is
a great honor and a privilege to join in the debate supporting the
naming of the Federal building in his honor.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen).
(Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time
and thank the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee for
bringing this bill to the floor.
Jake Pickle was a student of the ``old school of politics.'' Raised
in the small Texas town of Roscoe, Jake never forgot his rural roots.
Jake belongs to a dwindling group of Texas politicians who were the
protegees of another
[[Page H5444]]
great Texan, President Lyndon Baines Johnson. In fact, Jake represented
the same Texas district as President Johnson had once before and our
colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) now represents. In
fact, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) was telling me, that
district used to run not just around Travis County, but ran all the way
to Harris County at the time that Jake was first elected.
He wore many hats during his political career, serving as a campaign
manager, Congressional aid, Congressman and an adviser to LBJ. After
graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, he became the area
director of the National Youth Administration. He then went on to serve
3\1/2\ years in the Navy in the Pacific during the Second World War.
When he got back, he went into the radio business in Austin and then
reentered politics in 1957 as the director of the Texas State
Democratic Executive Committee, which at that time was considered a
contact sport.
In 1961, he was appointed a member of the Texas Employment
Commission, resigning in 1963 to run for Congress. Some could say that
it was the pickle-shaped campaign pins and recipe books that got him
elected in 1964, but that would only be a small part of his success. It
was Jake's great sense of knowing what the people want from their
government that got him elected. His decades of experience in the
public service prior to being elected to office gave Jake the tools he
needed to be a Congressman. His warm personality and natural leadership
skills made him a legend. I might add that having Beryl probably made
the district.
As a member of Congress, where he served on the Committee on Ways and
Means, Jake managed to involve himself in just about every major issue
in his committee, from Social Security to trade to the complete
revision of the Tax Code in 1986.
As chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on
Oversight and the Subcommittee on Social Security, Jake exercised broad
mandate. In 1983, as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Social
Security, Jake was convinced that the way to save the Social Security
System from a long-term collapse was to raise the retirement age. While
others wanted to solve long-term financing problems with eventual
increases in the payroll tax, Jake unexpectedly prevailed on the floor
in what was the most impressive and significant victory of his career,
and what was then the Pickle-Pepper amendment to the Social Security
reform bill.
Jake fought long and hard for the elderly. The effort in 1983 to save
Social Security is the best example of the many attempts to improve
their lives. To Jake, the elderly were the backbone of our society,
helping America stand tall. For this reason, he did everything he could
in Congress and in his committees and subcommittees to ensure the
elderly would receive proper care and maintain financial stability.
Every once in a while one can find a leader and a politician as great
as Jake Pickle. I have to say, while I did not have the opportunity to
serve with Mr. Pickle as a Member of the House, I did have the
opportunity as a member of the staff to the House during his tenure
here. It was something that every year when the Texas State Society,
which continues to meet on Fathers Day for its annual Fathers Day
picnic, Jake and Beryl would be out there. And while I did not get to
serve with them, I did get to play horseshoes with them on a couple of
occasion. That is how he was every year of his service for the 31 years
he was here, and even today, when he comes back to visit us and join us
at the weekly Wednesday Texas Delegation Lunch to tell us how things
were done before he was in Congress, while he was in Congress, and how
we ought to be doing them now. I congratulate the chairman and ranking
member for bringing this bill.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I know Jake Pickle, I served with Jake Pickle, and I
know that Jake Pickle is deserving of this honor, and I am, too, proud,
as other colleagues have spoken, to be a part of this legislation.
One thing about Jake Pickle, he was not yellow. He had a backbone,
not a wishbone, a backbone, and very few of us may realize the pressure
he had when he was one of only five Southern leaders to pass President
Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964, amidst great pressure and attacks
from those who thought otherwise.
Men like Jake Pickle have created an opportunity for all Americans
that were not gifted with an automatic entry into our mainstream. But I
want to just make a few comments on the Congressman that I knew, and
how he helped me personally in a couple areas where we changed IRS law.
He helped me to pass legislation that requires the IRS to have a
training program for all their agents so they do not abuse our
taxpayers. Also he helped me pass legislation that allows an abused
taxpayer now to sue the IRS. Then Jake worked on legislation with me
and others to raise the limits for such lawsuits from $100,000 to $1
million. He also helped to promote, over a period of years, my
legislation to make it tougher for the IRS to seize our property and to
help us change the burden of proof in a civil tax case that has
recently been passed with the help of Republican leadership, and I am
appreciative of that.
Jake Pickle may be watching. If he is, thank you, Jake. Thanks for
all you did for the American people, and thanks for your tough and
courageous stand. You are most deserving of this honor and tribute.
Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3223, A Bill
Designating the J.J. ``Jake'' Pickle Federal Building in Austin, Texas.
This is a fitting tribute to an unique Texan and former Member of
Congress.
Congressman Pickle is a legend even by Texas standards. He put
himself through college during the Depression, worked for President
Roosevelt's National Youth Administration, served in the Pacific during
World War II, started a radio station in Central Texas, and represented
Texas' Tenth Congressional District from 1963 to 1995. During his long
and distinguished career in the Congress, Jake Pickle prided himself as
a protector of small businesses and a specialist in the Social Security
system.
Over the years, Congressman Pickle managed to involve himself in
every major issue that confronted the Ways and Means Committee, from
Social Security to trade to the complete revision of the tax code.
During the 98th Congress, Jake Pickle chaired the Ways and Means
Social Security Subcommittee. As chairman of that subcommittee, he was
convinced that the way to save the Social Security system from a long-
term collapse was to raise the retirement age. Democratic leaders,
including Thomas P. O'Neill and Claude Pepper, wanted to solve long-
term financing problems with eventual increases in the payroll tax. Few
expected Pickle would prevail on the floor, but he did.
Through months of argument over what to do about Social Security,
Pickle and Pepper were the spokesmen for two diametrically opposite
points of view. During floor consideration, the House chose Jake
Pickle's approach, which later became law. This victory represents the
culmination of a long personal struggle for Jake Pickle to put the
Social Security system on a sound personal footing.
Most everyone knows Jake Pickle as a political protege of President
Lyndon B. Johnson. Congressman Pickle was a campaign manager and a
Congressional aide to Johnson before World War II and an advisor in
Johnson's 1948 Senate campaign. Jake always spoke reverently about
President Johnson and his commitment and dedication is a testament to
their friendship.
Congressman Pickle is also known for his storytelling ability. In
1997, shortly after his retirement from the United States House of
Representatives, Jake Pickle wrote a book with his daughter in which he
recalled some of the many adventures he has had during his political
career. One of my favorite is featured in Chapter 35 of Jake:
In 1957 or 1958 Governor Price Daniel and I were in El Paso
attending a state democratic Executive Committee meeting.
About that time the state of Chihuahua and Texas were
instigating a program to eradicate the yellow boll weevil. So
the Governor was in El Paso to officially give credence to
the boll weevil eradication program as well. Jean Daniel was
in El Paso with her husband.
Our party stayed at El Paso's Del Norte Hotel, the finest
in town. One night after our meeting, Price and Jean, Hazel
and Bob Haynsworth, and I decided to go across the border to
Juarez.
The Haynsworths knew a bar in Juarez with a good band and a
floor show, and Bob Haynsworth called ahead to speak to the
manager. The Manager was told that the Governor of Texas
would be in our party, and we wished no publicity. The
manager said we did him a great honor. Absolutamente! He
would respect our privacy.
When our group arrived at the bar, we were seated at a big
table near the band. Now,
[[Page H5445]]
Governor Daniel was a Baptist and a teetotaler. Officially,
he never drank. But he liked Cokes. Every time we went
someplace people would offer Daniel a drink, and he'd always
decline, saying, ``Well thank you, but I don't drink.''
People expected this, but always felt they had to offer the
governor a drink anyway.
But sometimes Daniel would add, ``I'll take a Coke, though.
Jake, why don't you get me a Coke?'' And I would--but I'd
have the bartender pour a shot of bourbon in it. Daniel never
mentioned the bourbon--but he always asked me to get his
Cokes. It was a little game we played for years, one which
allowed Daniel to follow his religion, but enjoy a little
socializing with a clear conscience.
However, Coke or no Coke, the last thing Daniel wanted was
to be recognized in a bar, even a Mexican bar with no
constituents.
Everything went fine for a few minutes. Then the band,
which had been playing lively Mexican melodies, suddenly
stopped, then executed a drum-roll flourish. The Governor and
I looked at each other and thought, ``Uh oh.'' He sank lower
in his seat.
Then the bandleader announced into the mike, ``We are proud
to have with us tonight the Governor of the State of
Texas''--Another drum roll--``the honorable Price Daniel!''
Amid the fanfare, a white spotlight swept the dark bar and
came to rest on our table.
Nobody moved. Daniel kept his head down.
Again, the announcer said, ``Damas y caballeros, permitanme
presentarles el gobernador del estado de Tejas!'' Another
drum roll and the bright spotlight on our table.
Still no movement from Price.
With the spotlight still on us, a third time the announcer
called, ``Please! Will the Governor of Texas stand and be
recognized?''
Finally Jean leaned over and whispered urgently, ``Jake,
for goodness sake, will you do it?'' And Daniel said, ``Jake,
I bet you've always wanted to be Governor--here's your
chance.''
So I got to my feet and grinned and waved to thunderous
applause, as the band struck up ``The Eyes of Texas.'' I must
admit, I got a great reception.
Boll weevils and politicians. We're jus' lookin' for a
home.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have served with Congressman Jake Pickle
and will be forever grateful for his friendship. This designation is
only a small token of our appreciation to a dedicated public servant.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3223, to designate the
federal building located at 300 East 8th Street in Austin, Texas, as
the ``J.J. `Jake' Pickle Federal Building.''
It is a well deserved honor for a man who selflessly served his
country in a multitude of ways over many years.
I was pleased to serve alongside Jake not only as a member of the
Texas Congressional Delegation, but also on the Ways and Means
Committee. His integrity, compassion and unswerving sense of right and
wrong remain as sterling examples of the standard to which every public
official should strive.
I join my colleagues and the American people in gratefully honoring
the life, the contributions and achievements of Jake Pickle, a
cherished friend, a loyal Texan and a selfless public servant.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Kim) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3223.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________