[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H676-H678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RONALD V. DELLUMS FEDERAL BUILDING
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 396) to designate the Federal building located
at 1301 Clay Street in Oakland, California, as the ``Ronald V. Dellums
Federal Building.''
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 396
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 1301 Clay Street in
Oakland, California, shall be known and designated as the
``Ronald V. Dellums 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 ``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks).
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 396 designates the Federal building located in
Oakland, California, as the ``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.''
Congressman Dellums was born in Oakland, California. After finishing
high school, he served for 2 years in the United States Marine Corps
and received an honorable discharge. He then followed educational
pursuits and received his A.A. from Oakland City College in 1958, his
B.A. from San Francisco State University in 1960, and his MSW from the
University at Berkley in 1962.
In his public role, Congressman Dellums served on the Berkeley City
Council from 1967 until 1970, when he was then elected to the United
States House of Representatives to represent northern Alameda County.
Congressman Dellums championed issues involving civil rights, equal
rights for women, human rights, and the environment.
At the time of his resignation, Congressman Dellums was the ranking
member on the House Committee on National Security. During his tenure,
he also held the chairmanship of the Committee on Armed Services and
the Committee on the District of Columbia. Throughout his 27-year
career, Congressman Dellums served on a variety of other committees and
caucuses, including the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
the Post Office and Civil Service, the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence, and the Congressional Black Caucus. He resigned in
January of 1998 to return to private life.
This is a fitting tribute to our former colleague, who, I might add,
was clearly the best-dressed Member of this body. I support this bill,
and I urge my colleagues to support the bill as well.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Miller), the sponsor of the legislation.
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the committee so much for bringing this
legislation to the floor. We truly honor a man of great character, of
great integrity and of great dignity with the naming of this building
for our former colleague, Congressman Ron Dellums, a man who led not
only our Bay Area delegation but led national movements on behalf of
human rights and who brought the titans of apartheid to their knees and
dragged a reluctant American government along the way.
He has fought for civil rights for all Americans and, more than any
other Member of Congress, he helped to clearly illustrate how an
overfed military budget was literally starving our children, our
schools and our communities. When it came time to cut that budget, when
it came time for the base closures and the various rounds of base
closures, Ron worked hard as the chairman of the Committee on Armed
Services to make, in fact, sure that those closures were fair, that
people had a chance to be retrained and to be reemployed and so their
families would not suffer from the closure of those bases and to make
sure that the communities in fact were able to absorb those bases into
our local economies and to redeploy those assets in the civil economy.
I just want to say that this building is more than about bricks and
mortar, it is about truly a monument to an individual that, as people
from our community go in and out of this building in Oakland, they will
know that in fact this is named for someone who truly cared about them
during his entire career in public service.
I am honored to have carried this legislation. Again, I want to thank
the committee so much for taking the time and the effort to get this to
the floor in such a timely fashion.
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 396, a bill to honor
Ron Dellums by naming the Federal building located at 1301 Clay Street
in Oakland, California, as the ``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.''
As my colleagues know, Ron represented the 9th District of California
for 26 years and during that period distinguished himself in many, many
ways. He fought tirelessly for vigorous examination of the state of our
military establishment, including its purposes, its budget and other
issues involving racial and sexual discrimination. He was a tireless
fighter on this floor against apartheid and brought the Congress along
with him.
Ron was a dynamic advocate for arms reduction and peaceful resolution
of international conflict. His interest extended to health care, civil
rights, Congressional authority and alternative budgets. He was a great
friend, a mentor, always a gentleman, and a leader. His kindness and
humor on this floor are greatly missed.
If I could just add, Mr. Speaker, there are several words that
describe Ron. One is always ``passion,'' passion for the causes he
fought for, fought for eloquently and always fairly. The other word
that comes to my mind immediately is ``civility.'' This building should
be a monument to the civility that we should have as we discuss the
differences between us. Someone once said that the key is to be able to
disagree without being disagreeable, and Ron Dellums represented that
to the utmost.
This bill has very broad bipartisan support. I wish to thank the
gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) for his diligent efforts on
behalf of the bill and join him and many others in supporting this bill
and urge passage of H.R. 396.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from the
District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding; and I
particularly thank the chairman and the ranking member for their
attention to this bill.
I strongly support H.R. 396. I support this bill which names a
Federal facility for a man who loved his country, even when he was one
of its greatest critics.
Ron Dellums had range in this body, from his deep leadership on
international affairs to his involvement in the most local of issues,
the District of Columbia. He was ranking member of the Committee on
National Security, and he chaired the D.C. Committee.
[[Page H677]]
When I say, ``range,'' I mean range. On the great issues of the day,
eliminating poverty, protecting civil rights, making sure that all
Americans had civil liberties, Ron Dellums' name is indelibly left with
this body.
Ron may be remembered perhaps most of all for South Africa's
sanctions. He fought for sanctions against South Africa when it was all
but a lost cause, until finally they developed a national and an
international consensus that in fact led to the elimination, the
beginning of the end, of South African apartheid.
Mr. Speaker, I say without fear of contradiction that there was no
more popular man in this body even when his views, as they often were,
were unpopular in this body. Here is a man who could take his unpopular
views, walk over to the other side of the aisle, ask for time to speak
to give his unpopular view and get it from the other side. That is a
man who enjoys respect and admiration.
I cannot close without saying what Ron Dellums did for the District
of Columbia in particular. He was a long-time chair of the Committee on
the District of Columbia. It was a different time, very different.
There was plenty of money. And, thus, the kinds of scrutiny that has
become necessary in the hard times in the 1990s were not what the D.C.
Committee was all about. Then it was all about protecting home rule and
moving the District forward to stand on its own feet. He held the
District's feet to the fire, while insisting that the District stand on
its own feet.
He will be remembered particularly fondly among the residents of this
city. In this body, he will be remembered as one of its great orators,
as he would have it I suppose, given his work on the Committee on Armed
Services, as an officer and a gentleman.
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee) who has had the privilege of succeeding Ron
Dellums in office.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from West Virginia for
yielding this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to proudly support H.R. 396, a bill to designate
the Federal building in Oakland, California, as the ``Ronald V. Dellums
Federal Building.''
I want to also thank my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Miller), for reintroducing this bill which passed the
House last session.
The building for which we seek support was completed in 1993.
Congressman Dellums worked closely with many of my colleagues to get
this building authorized and appropriated. He sought our support
because he strongly believed that this building would provide an anchor
in the revitalized city center in Oakland, California; and, of course,
he was right.
His work to gain support for this building and his faith in the
development potential of downtown Oakland have been amply rewarded. In
the 6 years since the occupation of this building, the surrounding
blocks have flowered with new plazas, new businesses and new buildings.
Congressman Dellums, in his usual humble manner, would undoubtedly be
embarrassed by these words today and by our efforts to name this
building after him. However, I strongly believe and I hope my
colleagues will all join me in recognizing the work that my
distinguished colleague accomplished during his years of service in the
House of Representatives representing what started out as the 7th
Congressional District and evolved into the present 9th Congressional
District.
He is a native son of Oakland, California. Ron was born on November
24, 1935, actually in our county hospital, in Highland Hospital. His
family has proud roots in the union movement of the 1940s. He attended
and graduated from public schools in the district and went on to earn
an Associate of Arts degree from Oakland City College in 1958, a B.A.
from San Francisco State University in 1960, and a Master's in social
welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1962.
My colleagues can see from the family tree that a mighty seed was
sown. Congressman Dellums' roots were planted firmly in his interest in
social justice for all of society. The high esteem in which he was held
by constituents, friends, family and colleagues never wavered over the
years.
Ron Dellums was first elected to the Berkeley City Council on which
he served from 1967 to 1970. He was elected on a platform of civil
rights, civil liberties and economic and social justice. His service to
the council was so spectacular that he was drafted to run as a civil
rights and anti-war candidate, a peace candidate, for a seat that was
held by a pro-Vietnam war incumbent in the House.
Ron served 2 years in the Marine Corps, leaving with an honorable
discharge to continue his academic education. His training and service
in the Marine Corps stood him in good stead as he sought an appointment
and then served as a member of the Committee on Armed Services.
Ron's constituents were civil rights and anti-war activists, and one
of the first commitments he made was to find a peaceful resolution to
the war in Southeast Asia. He became one of the strongest voices and
advocates for arms reduction and developing alternatives to military
excursions and war. He served for 25 years on the Committee on Armed
Services, now known as the Committee on National Security, and became
the chair of that committee in 1992.
So it is not an exaggeration to say that many in his district love
him for his work and for the humanity and the humility with which he
conducted himself. His record is one to which we all can aspire.
The Federal building in Oakland, California, stands tall with dignity
and it commands respect. It is very fitting that it be named the
``Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building.''
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 396,
a bill to name a federal building in Oakland, CA, in honor of the
former Chairman of the House National Security Committee, Ronald V.
Dellums.
After a distinguished tour in the United States Marine Corps,
Chairman Dellums began dedicating his life to public service and to
helping others. Congressman Dellums was first elected to public office
as a member of the Berkeley City Council.
Congressman Ronald Dellums was first elected to the 92nd Congress on
November 3, 1970 and re-elected to each succeeding Congress until his
retirement during the 105th Congress. Marine, Council Member,
Congressman, Chairman, leader and father--these are just a few of the
many titles utilized to describe Representative Dellums.
As Chairman, Congressman Dellums was a passionate and reasonable
advocate of lower military spending. He used the power and discretion
of the gavel to foster a wide and robust debate on issues about
national security, military spending and acquisitions.
I can not think of a higher compliment to give a lawmaker than to say
that he stood upon his convictions in the face of opposition with honor
and dignity. Although, Congressman Dellums was a democrat, he was a
non-partisan coalition builder that diligently worked to make America
stronger and more inclusive for everyone.
I urge every member of Congress to join me in expressing our
appreciation for Ron's dedicated years of service to this House and our
country. Let us pass H.R. 396. It has the support of the Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee and the citizens of California.
Congressman Dellums fought for this building to be authorized and
appropriated because he had the economic projections and the faith that
the construction of the building would provide one of the major
financial anchors in a city center that had every potential of
abandonment.
It is only appropriate that this building be named in his honor.
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 396 which names the
federal building in Oakland, CA, after Ron Dellums, our distinguished
former colleague and dear friend.
Mr. Speaker, by designating the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building we
honor a colleague who provided the nation and his constituents with an
outstanding record of public service.
All of us in this chamber know of the leadership Ron Dellums provided
on the Armed Services Committee. He defined national security to
include not only a strong defense, but a nation with a strong economy
and a system of justice that lifts up all its citizens.
It is most appropriate that we honor Ron by naming the federal
building in Oakland after him because Ron Dellums never forgot where he
came from and the people he represented. Ron took their issues of
economic justice and civil rights and not only made them his priorities
but our nation's as well.
Ron stood before us in this chamber and in his splendid speeches
reminded us of the need to recognize the human consequences
[[Page H678]]
of the legislation we were about to vote on. Ron Dellums always spoke
about our responsibility to be compassionate and remember how our
actions effect the individual citizen.
Mr. Speaker, by naming the federal building in Oakland after Ron
Dellums we tell the citizens of Oakland that their government not only
honors Ron Dellums but seeks to emulate him by providing the type of
service that Ron gave to his constituents for so many years.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of HR 396 to
designate the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, CA.
Ron Dellums spent his 27 years in Congress as an advocate for special
justice. Throughout most of his career in Congress, I had the privilege
to serve with Ron Dellums as he fought to bring home our troops in
Vietnam, championed civil rights, and worked to end apartheid in South
Africa. As a member and then Chairman of the Armed Services Committee,
he argued powerfully and persuasively for cuts in wasteful defense
spending.
The Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building will be a lasting tribute to
my East Bay neighbor and friend for the legacy he leaves our nation.
{time} 1515
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I enthusiastically urge support of this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 396.
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.
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