[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TRIBUTE TO RETIRING CONGRESSMAN DELLUMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, Ron Dellums, a great member of the House of 
Representatives, and a great member of the Congressional Black Caucus 
retired last February. On several occasions I spoke enthusiastically of 
my great admiration for Congressman Dellums; however, I was absent on 
the day tributes to my esteemed colleague were made on the floor of the 
House. Today, for the Record, I would like to summarize my tribute to a 
friend, a mentor and a great role model.
  Ron Dellums is a man defined by magnificent contradictions. he is the 
activist who took a great risk when he joined the establishment; but he 
won the bet that he could never be corrupted. He is the peacemaker who 
rose to the position of Chairman of the powerful war-making Armed 
Services Committee.
  Ron Dellums was and is a steady keeper of a broad and integrated 
vision of this complex world. He is a tribune broadcasting a 
consistent, universal message. Throughout his long career in the 
Congress he remained loyal to certain fundamental principles advocating 
peace with justice--and his order of priorities never became confused. 
Despite his world view, his philosophical and intellectual loftiness 
and his intensity concerning administrative excellence, Ron remained 
first and foremost a descendant of Frederic Douglass, first and 
foremost an African American with an abiding dedication to his people.
  When the oppressed Blacks three thousand miles away in South Africa 
needed a champion, Ron Dellums was there with his parliamentary skills 
managing a difficult controversial resolution through the House. The 
effort was greatly enhanced by this oratorical eloquence and the fact 
that he had already accepted jail and arrest to promote his position. 
In a historic moment on the floor of the House, which has not yet been 
accorded its appropriate recognition, the Dellums South African 
sanctions resolution passed and set in motion a process which doomed 
the evil of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was later set free and a new 
South Africa nation was born.
  Although he was the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee in 1993 
when the call came for direct action to return democracy to Haiti, Ron 
Dellums was again on the front lines accepting arrest and jail to 
promote a policy of sanctions against an oppressive regime.
  To promote justice and a better utilization of our national resources 
throughout the world Ron led the drive to reallocate the military 
budget. He continued to support the Congressional Black Caucus 
alternative Caring Majority Budget. His concerns for full employment 
and job training as well as a more generous and sustained investment in 
education never waiver while he executed his duties as Armed Services 
Committee Chairman.
  Today, the portrait of Ronald V. Dellums in the National Security 
Committee Hearing Room speaks symbolic volumes about the magnificent 
contradictions of this Renaissance Man. This great room of the 
warriors, with forbidding portraits all around, many with a background 
including some weapon of destruction, is transformed by the Dellums 
portrait which makes a complete and almost perfect statement. From this 
powerful portrait the sunshine of peace and hope triumphantly invades 
the war room. This masterpiece leaves the bright shining signature and 
spirit of a conquering hero: Ronald V. Dellums.

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